Women's Tennis to Host Fall Invite

NORMAN, Okla. -- The Oklahoma women's tennis team will host the OU Fall Invite at Headington Family Tennis Center this weekend, with play running from Friday, Sept. 19 through Sunday, Sept. 21. Including Oklahoma, 11 schools and 78 student-athletes will participate in singles and doubles play. Doubles play will begin Saturday.

Players will participate in one of four singles draws. The Boomer, Sooner and Stoops draws will be a 16-player bracket, while the Switzer draw features 30. All OU players will participate, and at least one will be on a court at all times. There will be two doubles draws of 16 pairs, and one round-robin of five pairs.

"We have put in some very productive hours on and off the court these last few weeks and I believe we are more than ready to get going with the competition phase of our fall season,” said head coach David Mullins.

Due to potentially inclement weather Saturday, times have yet to be determined for each match. Barring weather issues, play will run from 9 a.m. until approximately 6 p.m.

The tournament will allow four Oklahoma newcomers to make their debut in the collegiate ranks. Lily Miyazaki (Boomer), Christie Brigante (Sooner), Malene Stripp (Stoops), and Brooke Withrow (Switzer), will all play their first collegiate matches as Sooners this weekend.

It has worked out well that our newcomers will commence their college tennis careers on our home courts, and hopefully they can also pick up their first wins as a Sooner,” said Mullins. “No matter what happens this weekend, I have no doubt we will learn a lot about our new players and what we need to work on in order to be ready for the spring season.”

All five returning players, including only one senior, will participate in the tournament.

Abbi Melrose (Sooner) returns for her senior year after going 8-4 at the No. 6 singles position last season. Juniors Emma Devine and Zita Engbroks, both in the Stoops draw, return after finishing a combined 19-11 last season with their respective double partners. Sophomore Morgan Chumney (Boomer) recorded an 8-6 No. 2 doubles record with Devine, while fellow sophomore Ann Pepper (Switzer) finished with a 7-5 fall record last year.

Oklahoma will be hosting 10 schools, including three Big 12 schools and an in-state opponent. Abilene Christian, Arkansas, Denver, Kansas, Kansas State, North Texas, SMU, Texas Tech, Tulsa, and Wichita State will all participate.

Players Mentioned

Emma Devine

Emma Devine

Zita Engbroks

Abbi Melrose

Abbi Melrose

Lily Miyazaki

Ann Pepper

Malene Stripp

Malene Stripp

Brooke Withrow

Brooke Withrow

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