Sept. 23, 2005

EVANSTON, Ill. -- Northwestern's women's tennis team begins the 2005-06 season by competing in the Gator Classic Sept. 23-25 in Gainesville, Fla.

The Wildcats are coming off their best season ever under head coach Claire Pollard. The 'Cats went 10-0 in conference, posted a 26-3 overall record and finished the 2004 campaign ranked a school record No. 5 in the ITA national rankings.

This season, Pollard expects more of the same from her team. Senior Cristelle Grier (Epsom, England/Putney) is No. 11 in the ITA preseason rankings, while teammate Alexis Prousis (Lake Forest, Ill./Lake Forest) is tabbed No. 50.

The doubles team of Grier and junior Feriel Esseghir (Sarasota, Fla./Brickhouse Academy) is ranked No. 14 in the ITA preseason doubles rankings, followed by the team of Prousis and freshman Georgia Rose (Mettawa, Ill./North Shore Country Day) who are ranked No. 49.

The 2005 Gator Classic comprises four teams--the host Florida Gators, Florida International Panthers, Miami Hurricanes and Northwestern.

The tournament schedule is as follows:

Friday, Sept. 23
Noon
Florida vs. Miami - DOUBLES
Florida International vs. Northwestern - DOUBLES
following doubles:
Florida vs. Florida International - SINGLES
Northwestern vs. Miami - SINGLES
Saturday, Sept. 24
9 a.m.
Florida vs. Northwestern - DOUBLES
Florida International vs. Miami - DOUBLES
following doubles:
Florida vs. Miami - SINGLES
Florida International vs. Northwestern - SINGLES
Sunday, Sept. 25
8 a.m.
Florida vs. Florida International - DOUBLES
Florida State vs. Miami - DOUBLES
following doubles:
Florida vs. Northwestern - SINGLES
Florida International vs. Miami - SINGLES