College Tennis News - Alabama Women’s Tennis Continues Fall Season at Furman Classic this Weekend

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The Alabama women’s tennis team will travel to Furman University in Greenville, S.C., to participate in the 2011 Furman Fall Classic that runs Friday, September 23 through Sunday, September 25. There will be six additional programs competing in the tournament this weekend including Clemson, Florida State, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Vanderbilt.

“We're looking forward to playing in the Furman Fall Classic,” said Alabama head coach Jenny Mainz. “It is one of the finest tournaments in the country with a stout field lined up this weekend. It's nice to have back-to-back weekends loaded with opportunities.”

The tournament begins Friday morning with the opening round of doubles at 8 a.m. CT. Seniors Courtney McLane and Taylor Lindsey will be in the first flight of doubles competing against South Carolina junior Jaklin Alawi and senior Dijana Stojic, while sophomore Mary Anne Macfarlane and freshman Emily Zabor will compete in the third flight of doubles against junior Kata Szekely and sophomore Kayla McMurry of Tennessee. Juniors Alexa Guarachi and Antonia Foehse will also represent the Tide in doubles, taking on Gamecock junior Josefin Andersson and sophomore Katerina Papova.

In singles, Macfarlane will represent Alabama in the first flight versus Furman junior Lauren Kline, which is slated for Noon CT on Friday. In the second flight, Guarachi is scheduled to face Clemson sophomore Klara Vyskocilova, while McLane, who is in the third flight, will take on junior Nelly Radeva of Vanderbilt. In flight four, Lindsey will face off with Florida State freshman Leyla Erkan, while Foehse is pinned in flight five against Tennessee freshman Joanna Henderson. Finally in flight six, Zabor will, once again, take on Tennessee’s McMurry.

“The team is working hard and focused on improving,” Mainz added. “Our goals are to continue making the most of our chances, improve our match toughness and gain confidence.”

Seven Institutions participating in the tournament finished in the top 35 in the nation last season including North Carolina (4), Clemson (14), Florida State (15), Vanderbilt (16), Tennessee (17), Alabama (28) and South Carolina (32). The draw also includes 21 singles players and 11 doubles teams ranked in the preseason ITA Collegiate Tennis rankings.

Play will continue Saturday and Sunday beginning at 8 a.m. each day.

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