Sept. 17, 2009

The University of Dayton women's tennis is in action for the first time in 2009-10 this weekend, traveling to Muncie, Indiana to participate in the Ball State Invitational. The two-day event begins on Friday, Sept. 18. It will be the first competition for the women's team under the guidance of new head coach Eric Mahone. Mahone succeeded Linda O'Keefe over the summer.

The Flyers graduated just one player from last season's 10-10 team, and add freshman Julie Kirkland, who is expected to move into the #1 singles position. Top returnees include juniors Laina Grote and Chelsea Glanker. Grote was the team's Most Improved Player in 2008-09 and Glanker won the Coaches Award.

"We're ready to play," Mahone said. "As a new coach, you really don't know what you have until you're in competition. But it will be exciting to see Julie (Kirkland) play her first collegiate match. She'll play at the top of our lineup right from the start."