July 16th, 2015

Tennis Briefs: American Collegiate invitational, Shelter Animal Tournament

General News College Tennis

2 Gators, Miami’s Austin to Compete at 2nd American Collegiate Tennis Invitational at US Open

Josie Kuhlman

Josie Kuhlman

NCAA champions Jamie Loeb of the University of North Carolina and Ryan Shane of the University of Virginia lead the group of top American collegiate players selected to play in the second annual American Collegiate Invitational at the 2015 US Open, Sept. 10-12 at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing, N.Y.

The American Collegiate Invitational, open only to American college players, began last year as a way to spotlight college tennis during the US Open. Eight men and eight women will again play single-elimination singles tournaments Thursday to Saturday during the second week of the US Open, with the winners receiving a wild card into the 2016 US Open, main draw or qualifying, depending on their ranking next summer.

Men’s Field:
*Gonzales Austin (Sr., Vanderbilt; Miami)
*Mitchell Frank (Sr., Virginia; Annandale, Va.)
Thai-Son Kwiatkowski (Soph., Virginia; Charlotte, N.C.)
*Winston Lin (Sr., Columbia; Williamsville, N.Y.)
Mackenzie McDonald (Soph., UCLA; Piedmont, Calif.)
Quentin Monaghan (Jr., Notre Dame; Chatham, N.J.)
Ryan Shane (Jr., Virginia; Falls Church, Va.)

Women’s Field:
*Robin Anderson (Sr., UCLA; Matawan, N.J.)
Brooke Austin (Fr., Florida; Indianapolis)
Julia Elbaba (Jr., Virginia; Oyster Bay, N.Y.)
*Lauren Herring (Sr., Georgia; Greenville, N.C.)
Josie Kuhlman (Fr., Florida; Ponte Vedra, Fla.)
Jamie Loeb (Soph., North Carolina; Ossining, N.Y.)
Maegan Manasse (Soph., Cal; Redondo Beach, Calif.)

*Indicates player is a graduating senior and/or has turned pro/exhausted collegiate eligibility.

In addition to the participants listed above, the USTA will issue one men’s and women’s wild card to fill out each field of eight. The fields are comprised of the top two players in the ATP/WTA rankings (as of June 1) and the top five players in the year-end Intercollegiate Tennis Association singles rankings (excluding those selected by pro ranking), including at least two graduating seniors or players who have turned pro/exhausted their collegiate eligibility.

The men’s/women’s American Collegiate Invitational champions will receive main draw wild card entries into the  2016 US Open if either is ranked No. 120 or better by the US Open entry deadline next summer. Otherwise, the winners will receive qualifying wild cards. The champions will also get wild cards into two USTA Pro Circuit events, while each runner-up will get one.

“It is important that college tennis continue to be a part of the US Open,” said US Open Tournament Director David Brewer. “We are excited to once again feature a high level of competition between some very talented players with the American Collegiate Invitational.”

For more info go to www.usta.com.

Valrico to Host Inaugural Tennis Event to Save Shelter Animals

animal fundraiserThe Buckhom Springs Tennis & Swim Club in Valrico, Fla., will host the inaugural Friends Of Hillsborough County Animal Services (FoHCAS) Tennis Tournament and Fundraiser on Sept. 26-27, 2015.

Help save local shelter animals, and meet animals available for adoption.

A welcome party including live and silent auctions will be held on Friday, Sept. 25 from 5-9 p.m., free to sponsors and players. The event will include men’s and women’s doubles and mixed doubles in NTRP 3.0-4.5 divisions. Consolation play for first-round losers in all divisions.

Formed in 2012, FoHCAS is a Tampa Bay area 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization that works to benefit the lives of shelter animals with no paid staff. All donations go towards assisting with medical care, enriching the shelter environment, reducing euthanasia by assisting in the promotion of adoption of shelter animals; and towards promoting the humane treatment and care of cats, dogs, and other companion animals through education.

For more info or to register go to www.FriendsofHCAS.org.

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