Sept. 11, 2014 WACO, Texas - The Baylor women's tennis team will open the 2014 fall season by hosting the Under Armour Kick-Off at the Hurd Tennis Center Friday through Sunday.
The event, which features players from Alabama, Texas, Texas A&M and USC, as well as three BU athletes will get underway on Friday at 1 p.m. with doubles action. Singles play will begin at 2:30 p.m.
"You learn a lot when you play against tough competition," head coach Joey Scrivano said. "This weekend is going to provide plenty of tough competition. It is a great way for us to kick off the year. We don't want to get too far ahead of ourselves in predicting how our newcomers will perform, but so far it has been a good start for them."
The three participating Lady Bears are
Kelley Anderson,
Rachael James-Baker and
Blair Shankle.
Anderson is a highly decorated freshman from Roanoke, Texas, who will be getting her first collegiate action. The 117th-ranked James-Baker is a transfer from North Carolina State, who will be playing in the Green and Gold for the first time. Shankle is a returning sophomore, who is coming off a breakout freshman season in which she led the team with 24 victories. She tallied All-American honors in doubles and is ranked No. 78 to start 2014.
Draws for this weekend's event will be determined at a coaches' meeting on Friday morning. Saturday's action is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. with the final day of play starting at 9 a.m. on Sunday.
A live video stream of this weekend's front court matches will be available on BaylorBears.com.
Prior to the start of the Under Armour Kick-Off, the first session of the Baylor Club Tennis Program will take place at noon on Friday. Children under the age of 11 can come receive free tennis instruction from Baylor players and staff. Tennis equipment will be provided, but athletic clothing, including tennis shoes is required.
Meanwhile, newcomer Eliza Long, a freshman from Benigo, Australia, will be in action at the Racquet Club Collegiate Invitational in Midland, Texas. That event runs Friday through Sunday as well.
Long will meet Abilene Christian's Erin Walker in the first round of the 64-person singles draw on Friday.
For the latest news on the Baylor women's tennis team follow its official Twitter account: @BaylorWTennis.
