2009 schedule features impressive slate for tennis

FAYETTEVILLE – Hosting an opening round of the ITA Preseason Championships along with the Southeastern Conference Championships headline the 2009 spring schedule for the University of Arkansas women’s tennis team.

The Razorbacks will welcome the challenge of 11 teams who finished in the ITA top 50 at the end of the 2007-2008 season, to go along with hosting two high-level tournaments for the spring season.

“Our schedule sets us up to achieve some big things this spring,” said Arkansas head coach Michael Hegarty.

Arkansas will host an opening round of the ITA Preseason Championships at the Dills Indoor Tennis Center on Jan. 31 featuring other top tennis programs in Notre Dame, Pepperdine, and Oregon.

Later on in the spring, the Razorbacks will host the best of the SEC at the Billingsley Tennis Center during the SEC Championships on Apr. 23-26.

“Being able to host both the ITA and SEC Championships will hopefully prove advantageous to our chances in those two premier events.”

Coming off arguably the best season in the program’s history, the Razorbacks will face-off against at least 11 teams that were valid threats in the NCAA last season. Arkansas will be in action at their home facility at least 12 times for the spring season.

The ladies will start off the season at the Virginia Collegiates tournament, the head south to host three home matches against St. Louis, Tulsa and Southern Methodist before gearing up for the ITA Preseason Championships.

Next, the Hogs welcome the Cougars of BYU before heading to Madison, Wisc. for the prestigious ITA National Team Indoor Finals on Feb. 12-15. Almost two weeks later, the Razorbacks will be back home to host Memphis before hitting the road to begin SEC action.

Arkansas will defend their 2008 Western Division title against divisional foes Alabama and Auburn, Mar. 6 and 8. On Mar. 13 & 15 Eastern Division opponents, Kentucky and Vanderbilt, will be in northwest Arkansas to take on the Hogs.

In mid-March, Arkansas will take their game to south beach as they face Florida International and Miami. Over a week later Arkansas hosts the Volunteers from Tennessee, before heading to Georgia. South Carolina and Florida come to town to begin April while the Razorbacks take their tour of Mississippi shortly after at Mississippi State and Ole Miss. The Hogs will close out their regular season at home against Louisiana State before hosting the SEC Championships.

The entire schedule with dates and times can be found on the schedules page at ARKANSASRAZORBACKS.COM.