Nov. 9, 2011

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Four Memphis netters will represent the Tigers at one of the nation's premiere collegiate tennis tournament this weekend as Courtney Collins, Mariya Slupska, Stefanie Mikesz and Alyssa Hibberd compete in the Dick Vitale Intercollegiate Clay Court Classic. The tournament, sponsored by Vitale and held in Lakewood Ranch, Fla., where he resides, will feature the best men's and women's players in the college game.

"All four of these players have proven they can compete with any college player in the country," said Memphis head coach Lee Taylor Walker. "This tournament has teams from all over the country and is really like a regional or national championship. It's another great opportunity to improve and get better. I'm looking forward to our players representing Tiger Nation well."

The only clay court college tournament in the nation, the Dick Vitale Classic will feature women's players from Oklahoma St., Mississippi St., Miami, Notre Dame, Tennessee, Baylor, Northwestern and Clemson in addition to the four Tigers. Matches will be played Friday, Saturday and Sunday. With a successful inaugural year in 2010, the tournament hopes to showcase even more great tennis this year, with the Tigers vying to be part of that success.

"This event is going to feature some of the greatest players on the collegiate level," said Vitale in a Lakewood Ranch Country Club press release. "Lakewood Ranch is blessed to have teams like these, all coming here. I'll be here to introduce the players and it's gonna be awesome, baby, with a capital A!"

This will be the last tournament of the fall for the Tigers. Collins is coming off four singles victories at the Memphis Collegiate Invitational, where she won the blue flight. Collins, Mikesz and Slupska each advanced to the quarterfinals of the USTA/ITA Ohio Valley Regionals in October with Collins reaching the semifinals. Newcomer Hibberd, a freshman from Tasmania, has been a welcome addition to the Tiger squad this season with success in both singles and doubles.