After two brief mainland stints, the Hawai'i women's tennis team continues early-season tournament play, this time playing host to the first-ever Rainbow Wahine Tennis Invitational, beginning Thursday, Nov. 11, at the newly renovated UH Tennis Complex.
With some of the top collegiate women's tennis teams in the country competing in the event, Hawai`i is hoping to make a positive impression early in the season. Competing in this week's tournament are No. 16 Texas A&M, No. 39 Arizona, and Texas State.
Arizona features the No. 1 ranked doubles team in Maja Mlakar and Dianne Hollands. Hollands is also currently ranked No. 7 in singles.
Hawai`i has been led in singles play by senior Kimberly Curtis, who played her way into the main draw of the ITA Western Regional Championships on Oct. 21, and has posted an overall record of 2-4 in tournament play. Fellow seniors Lauren Fitzgerald and Paige Mainor have excelled on the doubles side, heading into the Rainbow Wahine Tennis Invitational with a 2-2 season record.
Rainbow Warriors Ready to Open House, Welcome in UC Davis
With a year-long renovation of the UH Tennis Complex completed, the Hawai`i men's tennis team is wasting no time getting on their home court, hosting UC Davis, Friday, Nov. 12. This week's dual match begins a lengthy homestand for the Rainbow Warriors, who play a total of eight matches at their new home over the next two months.
Strong play during early-season tournaments should give Hawai`i a boost coming into the match with a powerful UC Davis squad. Rainbow Warriors Jarrod Diepraam and Bryon Weinberg advanced to last week's finals of the USTA Futures qualifying round, while Weinberg earned a spot in the Main Draw. Paired together in doubles competition, Diepraam and Weinberg have posted a solid 3-1 tournament record this season.
Hawai`i will have no time to rest after meeting UC Davis, as the Rainbow Warriors enter play in the second of two USTA Futures events to be held in the state this month. Qualifying round play in the event begins on Saturday, Nov. 13, at the Diamond Head Racquet Club and Ala Moana courts.
Rainbow Tennis Ready for New Facility
After undergoing a year-long renovation, the UH Tennis Complex is ready to welcome back Hawai`i's tennis teams to their home courts. Last season, both the Rainbow Warriors and Rainbow Wahine were displaced, playing their home matches at the Central Oahu Regional Park, some 30 minutes away from campus. With the new 12-court facility comes the opportunity for Hawai`i to host the 2005 WAC Men's and Women's Tennis Championships, slated for Apr. 21-23.
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