TEMPE, Ariz. (October 4) – The Saint Francis Health System ITA All-American Championships will open Saturday (Oct. 5) with pre-qualifying draws at the Michael D. Case Tennis Center on the University of Tulsa campus and Case Tennis Center at LaFortune Park in Tulsa, Okla.
The 2019 event will have a new look to it as the men and women will hold their All-American Championships in the same location for the first time. The men will compete at the University of Tulsa, while the women open at the Case Tennis Center at LaFortune Park before moving to the University of Tulsa for the final three days.
The tournament begins with men’s and women’s singles pre-qualifying draws on Oct. 5 and 6 before advancing to qualifying play (Oct. 7-8). The main draw opens Oct. 9 and concludes with the singles and doubles finals on Oct. 13.
Another tournament first will happen on Championship Sunday when the men’s and women’s singles finals air live on ESPNU. The women’s final is set for 6 p.m. (CT) followed by the men’s final at 8 p.m. (CT).
Among those selected to play and currently in the All-American Championships men’s main draw is six of the top 10 players in the Oracle ITA Preseason National Rankings. Christian Sigsgaard (Texas; No. 2) boasts the highest ranking and is followed by Oliver Crawford (Florida; No. 3), Yuya Ito, (Texas; No. 4), Aleks Kovacevic (Illinois; No. 6), Jack Lin (Columbia; No. 9) and Sam Riffice (Florida; No. 10).
Selections and those currently in the women’s main draw include nine of the top 10 players in the Oracle ITA Preseason National Rankings. The list includes top-ranked Katarina Jokic (Georgia), Estela Perez-Somarriba (Miami, Fla.; No. 2), Makenna Jones (North Carolina; No. 3), Alexa Graham (North Carolina; No. 4); Kelly Chen (Duke; No. 5), Sara Daavettila (North Carolina; No. 7); Anna Rogers (NC State; No. 8), Jada Hart (UCLA; No. 9) and Kenya Jones (Georgia Tech; No. 10).
Pepperdine’s Ashley Lahey, who captured the Oracle ITA Masters last weekend and is ranked No. 14, has also been selected to compete in the main draw.
Draws for the pre-qualifying rounds will be available on Friday (Oct. 4) with play beginning Saturday (Oct. 5) at the University of Tulsa and LaFortune Tennis Center.
The men’s and women’s singles quarterfinalists, consolation finalists, plus the doubles semifinalists and consolation finalists for each gender will earn automatic entry into the Oracle ITA National Fall Championships slated for Nov. 6-10 in Newport Beach, Calif.
About the Intercollegiate Tennis Association
The Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) is committed to serving college tennis and returning the leaders of tomorrow. As the governing body of college tennis, the ITA oversees men’s and women’s varsity tennis at NCAA Divisions I, II and III, NAIA and Junior/Community College divisions. The ITA administers a comprehensive awards and rankings program for men’s and women’s varsity players, coaches and teams in all divisions, providing recognition for their accomplishments on and off the court. For more information on the ITA, visit the ITA website at www.itatennis.com, like the ITA on Facebook or follow @ITA_Tennis on Twitter and Instagram.
