BIRMINGHAM, Ala.—Four of the nation's Top 40 men's teams and three nationally ranked women's teams are set to battle for the 2009 Tennis Tournament Championships held this week, April 17-18 at Lagoon Park and O'Conner Tennis Center in Montgomery, Ala.
MEN'S TOURNAMENT PREVIEW
The two-day tournament returns to the State's Capital for the second straight year after the league held its first-ever neutral site event in 2008.
The tournament begins with the Quarter-Finals and Semi-Finals on Friday, April 17 and ends with the Title Match at 9:00 am on Saturday, April 18. All first-day men's matches are slated for the O'Connor Tennis Center, while the Title contest moves to Lagoon Park (locations are subject to change).
The East Division field is led by a pair of national Top 10 powers. Defending GSC Champion Valdosta State is ranked No. 4 in the latest ITA Top 40 poll, followed by No. 2 seed West Florida's No. 10 national ranking. No. 3 seed North Alabama is also ranked No. 36 by the ITA, while No. 4 seed Alabama-Huntsville completes the East field.
Division Champion Ouachita Baptist headlines the West Division field, garnering a No. 7 national mark. No. 2 seed Harding, No. 3 seed Delta State and No. 4 seed Christian Brothers round out the rest of the West field.
2009 GULF SOUTH CONFERENCE MEN’S TENNIS TOURNAMENT
(April 17-18, Lagoon Park/O’Conner Tennis Center, Montgomery, Ala.)
FRIDAY, APRIL 17
Quarter-Finals
Match #1 (OTC) 8:30 amW1 Ouachita Baptist vs. E4 Alabama-Huntsville
Match #2 (OTC) 8:30 amE2 West Florida vs. W3 Delta State
Match #3 (OTC)11:00 amW2 Harding vs. E3 North Alabama
Match #4 (OTC)11:00 amE1 Valdosta State vs. W4 Christian Brothers
Semi-Finals
Match #5 (OTC) 2:00 pmMatch #1 Winner vs. Match #2 Winner
Match #6 (OTC) 4:30 pmMatch #3 Winner vs. Match #4 Winner
Consolation Semi-Finals
Match #7 (OTC) 2:00 pmMatch #1 Loser vs. Match #2 Loser
Match #8 (OTC) 4:30 pmMatch #3 Loser vs. Match #4 Loser
SATURDAY, APRIL 18
Championship
Match #9 (LP) 9:00 amMatch #5 Winner vs. Match #6 Winner
Notes: (LP)—Lagoon Park Tennis Center; (OTC)—O’Connor Tennis Center;
All Times Central and Subject To Change
WOMEN'S TOURNAMENT PREVIEW
The tournament returns to the State's Capital for the second straight season after the league held its first-ever neutral site event in 2008.
The East Division leads the way, featuring two nationally ranked teams led by No. 1 seed and defending GSC Champion Valdosta State. VSU enters with a No. 4 ITA ranking, followed by No. 2 seed West Florida which is No. 5 in nation. Completing the East field is No. 3 seed North Alabama and No. 4 seed West Alabama.
West Division Champion Delta State is ranked No. 25 in latest ITA rankings. Rounding out the West field are Arkansas rivals; No. 2 seed Henderson State, No. 3 seed Arkansas Tech and No. 4 seed Harding.
The tournament begins with Quarter-Final and Semi-Final action on Friday and the Championship Match on Saturday at Noon. All women's matches are scheduled for Lagoon Park, but locations are subject to change.
2009 GULF SOUTH CONFERENCE WOMEN’S TENNIS TOURNAMENT
(April 17-18, Lagoon Park/O’Conner Tennis Center, Montgomery, Ala.)
FRIDAY, APRIL 17
Quarter-Finals
Match #1 (LP) 8:30 amW1 Delta State vs. E4 West Alabama
Match #2 (LP) 8:30 amE2 West Florida vs. W3 Arkansas Tech
Match #3 (LP)11:00 amW2 Henderson State vs. E3 North Alabama
Match #4 (LP)11:00 amE1 Valdosta State vs. W4 Harding
Semi-Finals
Match #5 (LP) 2:00 pmMatch #1 Winner vs. Match #2 Winner
Match #6 (LP) 4:30 pmMatch #3 Winner vs. Match #4 Winner
Consolation Semi-Finals
Match #7 (LP) 2:00 pmMatch #1 Loser vs. Match #2 Loser
Match #8 (LP) 4:30 pmMatch #3 Loser vs. Match #4 Loser
SATURDAY, APRIL 18
Championship
Match #9 (LP) NoonMatch #5 Winner vs. Match #6 Winner
Notes: (LP)—Lagoon Park Tennis Center; (OTC)—O’Connor Tennis Center;
All Times Central and Subject to Change
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