Oct. 26, 1999

CHICAGO - The University of Illinois at Chicago women’s tennis team will send a record four singles entrants and, for the first time ever, all three of its doubles teams to compete in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association Regional Championships, Nov. 2-7, in Columbus, Ohio.

“It’s great to get a record number of players the opportunity to compete in this event,” commented first-year head coach Mary Dailey. “It shows the respect that people have gained for the program. I’m a little disappointed that Zorica (Malesevic) didn’t make it, but to get all of our doubles teams in is quite impressive.”

Senior Emina Curic (Sarajevo, Bosnia/West Leyden) qualified for the 32-person main draw, while junior Jacki Farr (Freeport, Ill./Freeport), sophomore Alyson Stalzer (Ocala, Fla./Forest) and freshman Nicole Derouin (Moline, Ill./Moline) earned entry into the 64-person qualifying draw. The top eight finishers in the qualifying draw earn entry to the main draw.

Sophomore Kim Harris (St.Charles, Ill./St. Charles) was named fifth alternate for the qualifying draw, which could raise the number of UIC singles competitors to five. Prior to this season, the Flames had never sent more than two singles representatives to the ITA Championships.

On the doubles side, UIC will send all three of its doubles teams as the tandems of Farr/Curic, Derouin/Harris and Stalzer/Karen Liwanpo (Tillsonburg, Ontario/Glendale) all qualified for the event.

The Flames will gear up for the ITA Regional Championships this weekend as they travel to Milwaukee, Wis., to compete in the Marquette Invitational.