Nov. 28, 2006
NORMAL, Ill. -
For a second year in a row and only the second time in Illinois State men's tennis history, the Redbirds will compete in the Region V Intercollegiate Tennis Association Indoor National Team Qualifier. The tournament will be held in Tulsa, Okla., and will begin Jan. 20, 2007.
Eight teams from the region are selected to compete in the tournament. The winner will advance to the ITA National Indoor Tournament and compete against the top 16 teams in the county.
Head Coach Greg Kennett is excited to compete in this prestigious tournament.
"It has been a team goal to compete in this tournament," said Kennett. "We will be competing with some of the top teams in the country. The tough competition gives the team experience and confidence for the spring season."
The Redbirds head into the tournament after completing a successful fall season. In their first competition of the year at the Ball State Invitational, Alfredo Lagarda took home the title in Flight B singles and Oscar Beich took home the Flight C singles title. The `Birds then went on to bethe point leaders at the Milwaukee Tennis Classic (Sep. 22-24) and at the Billiken Fall Classic (Sep. 30).
Ending the fall season at the ITA Central Region Championship, the `Birds were placed in tough draws as the team competed against top players early in the tournament, but were able to hold their own. At the event, Lagarda and Yohann Nograbat made it into the doubles round of eight, but were defeated by opponents from Tulsa. Overall, the `Birds performance in the fall enabled them to compete in the indoor national team qualifier.
"Being selected to compete in this tournament proves that we had a strong fall season and that our program is gaining respect," said Kennett.
