University of Minnesota Athletics
Gophers Set to Host Third Courtside Classic
1/31/2018 12:00:00 AM | Tennis
The University of Minnesota women's tennis team (3-0, 0-0 Big Ten) will host the Courtside Classic for the third straight year this Saturday and Sunday at Baseline Tennis Center.
The Gophers will welcome Utah, DePaul and Marshall to Baseline Tennis Center. DePaul will be returning for a third straight season to the event, while both Utah and Marshall will be first time participants.
The event will begin at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday when Utah takes on DePaul. Minnesota will play Marshall at 2:00 p.m. The losers of the first day will likely play at 9:00 a.m. the next morning, with the winners playing for the title at 12:00 p.m. Times are subject to change due to possible flights for teams attending.
ABOUT THE COURTSIDE CLASSIC
Formally known as the Federated Insurance Classic that ran from 1994 to the early 2000s, the Gophers reestablished the event back in 2016. The name Courtside Classic came from the women's tennis supporters known as the Courtside Club. Every year, three top level competition will compete on the tennis courts of Baseline Tennis Center.
FOLLOW THE COURTSIDE CLASSIC
Follow the Gophers on Twitter for live updates throughout the event, you can also follow live stats of the following links all weekend long.
Minnesota vs Marshall Live Stats
Utah vs DePaul Live Stats
Be sure to check out the YouTube livestream of all six courts throughout the weekend to see all the action for yourself.
LAST TIME OUT - SOUTH DAKOTA STATE
The Gophers were able to complete a 3-0 weekend in their opening play of the spring season. Minnesota notched victories against Northern Iowa and Sacramento State on Friday, and then South Dakota State on Sunday all while dropping just one point.
The Gophers won all three of the doubles points in the weekend, not dropping a single match. The Gophers put four different teams on the courts for doubles on the weekend, including the pair of Caitlyn Merzbacher and captain Mehvish Safdar in the No. 1 position, finishing with a perfect 3-0 record to start the season.
CAN'T ASK FOR A BETTER START
Tina Kreinis was able to finish the start of her sophomore season with a perfect 6-0 record across singles and doubles, marking the first time in her career she finished undefeated in both singles and doubles for an entire weekend. The Toronto, Ont. native played out of the No. 2 position in both singles and doubles, pairing with captain Caroline Ryba in doubles. She is currently on a five-match winning streak, which ties the longest streak of her career.
ABOUT MARSHALL
Thus far this season, the Marshall Thundering Herd have an 0-2 record, dropping matches to Lousiana-Monroe and Cal State Fullerton during the ITA Kick-Off Weekend in Gainesville, Fla. Last season, Marshall finished with a 14-10 record, and made it to the quarterfinals of the CUSA Championship Tournament. Senior Marija Bogicevic is the only undefeated player on the roster, picking up wins in the No. 3 and No. 4 spot during their opening weekend.
ABOUT DePAUL
The Blue Demons come in with an undefeated 2-0 record after their 5-2 victory against Saint Louis and 4-3 victory vs Milwaukee. Despite forfeiting three points to Milwaukee, DePaul was still able to win the dual by sweeping all four of the singles matches they participated in. DePaul brings in three players who have started the season undefeated. Keisha Clousing, Patricia Lancranjan and Marija Jovicic all began the season undefeated in the top three positions, respectively.
ABOUT UTAH
Utah will take part in the Courtside Classic for the first time. The Utes fell short in their season opening in early January against Florida State, and have since played in the Hawaii Rainbow Wahine Invitational Tournament.
FIRST WIN ALERT
The University of Minnesota welcomed head coach Catrina Thompson to the Twin Cities back in June, and she was able to capture her first dual victory against Northern Iowa last Friday. You can read all about her first career victory down below.
"It felt pretty special to get that first victory," Thompson said of the teams win against Northern Iowa Friday. "To get a 7-0 where everyone contributed was even more so." #SkiUMah
STORY: https://t.co/3aBNWCnsd7
https://t.co/0B2wpY0pit- Minnesota W Tennis (@GopherWTennis) January 29, 2018
