April 29, 2009
ATLANTA – One day after securing its 10th straight appearance in the NCAA Championships, the eighth-ranked Georgia Tech women’s tennis team will be represented by four Yellow Jackets in 2009 NCAA Singles and/or Doubles Championships.
The NCAA Singles and Doubles Championships begin May 20 in College Station, Texas following the conclusion of the NCAA Team Championships.
Irina Falconi and Amanda McDowell headline the list as both Jackets earned spots in the singles and doubles fields. Falconi was awarded a top-16 seed in the singles draw after a tremendous rookie season on the Flats. McDowell, the 2008 NCAA Singles Champion, will try and repeat. The duo will team together in the doubles draw.
Senior Christy Striplin earned her first career appearance in the singles field after a stellar final season at Tech. Sophomore Noelle Hickey was named the No. 1 alternate for this years singles tournament.
“I am really excited to make the singles tournament this year,” Striplin said. “I have been very close to making it every year so it is just an honor to make the field during my last season. I look forward to doing well and going after a championship.”
The Jackets will also be represented in doubles by Striplin and Hickey. The Yellow Jacket tandem, who have played in the top flight this season, are 26-14 together this season and have defeated seven nationally-ranked teams.
Tech will open the 2009 NCAA Team Championships at the Bill Moore Tennis Center against Jackson State on Friday, May 8 at 1 p.m.
Singles
No. 9-16 Irina Falconi
Amanda McDowell
Christy Striplin
Doubles
Amanda McDowell/Irina Falconi
Noelle Hickey/Christy Striplin
