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April 29, 2008

The University of Louisville women's tennis team will face Indiana University Friday, May 9 at 10 a.m. (Central) at the Vandy Christie Tennis Center in Chicago in the first round of the NCAA Tennis Championship. It is the Cardinals' first-ever trip to the NCAAs.

"We are excited about being the first women's team ever to make the NCAA field," said first year head coach Mark Beckham. "I can't help but be proud of the girls because they are finally getting recognition for their good play and hard work. This is their time to shine."

No. 39-ranked U of L, 16-7, was chosen as an at-large selection after finishing third in the BIG EAST Tournament. The Hoosiers, ranked No. 30 in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) poll, are 20-7 this year. Should the Cardinals advance, they will face the winner of the No. 1 Northwestern vs. Illinois-Chicago match in the second round at noon (Central) on May 10.

"We match up very well with Indiana but have all the respect in the world for them. We feel good about the selection," said Beckham.

The Cardinals are led by the All-BIG EAST No. 1 doubles tandem of Bianca Gorbea and Natalia Baez. The pair of juniors posted a 19-10 record that included an eight match winning streak to start the dual season. Team captain Robyn White has an 11-5 dual match record and pairs with Lauren Imre to post a 6-1 record at No. 2. The No. 3 doubles team of Jo-Ann Van Aerde and Lindsey Jones had a 9-1 record in the dual season and are 14-5 overall. Gorbea at No. 3 singles has a 17-5 record.

"This is well worth the effort and hard work to go out on something as good as this," said lone senior and team captain, Robyn White. "This moment is finally here and we worked hard and we deserve it."

The teams will play a single-elimination tournament at 16 first- and second-round sites (four teams at each site) and the finals site (16-team bracket) to determine the national champion. The matches are regulation dual matches with three eight-game, pro-set doubles played for one team point, followed by six singles matches, each valued at one team point, played best of three sets. Regular scoring will be used and a 12-point tiebreaker will be played at eight games all in doubles and at six games all in singles.

Thirty-one conferences receive automatic qualification into the 2008 NCAA Division I Women's Tennis Championships. Each conference and its automatic qualifier are listed below.

Below are the scheduled times and dates for the first two rounds of the NCAA championships. The matches will take place at the Vandy Christie Tennis Center, and moved indoors to the Combe Tennis Center in case of inclement weather.

First Round - Friday, May 9
10 a.m., Match 1: Louisville vs. Indiana
2 p.m., Match 2: UIC vs. No. 1 Northwestern
Second Round - Saturday, May 10
Noon, Match 3: Winner of Match 1 vs. Winner of Match 2