Sept. 10, 2009

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- The UAB women's tennis team opens its fall schedule this weekend in Montgomery, Ala., with the Fall Blue & Gray Classic hosted by Auburn University at Montgomery.

AUM, the six-time defending NAIA national champion, welcomes eight teams for its fall tournament. In addition to UAB, the field also features Samford, South Alabama, Southern Illinois, Belmont, Kennesaw State, West Florida and Brenau (Ga.).

Action gets underway Friday at 9 a.m. (CT) in a flighted format and continues through Sunday.

"We're ready to get back on the court and play some competitive matches," UAB head coach Krissy Hall said. "We have a good group back from the spring, and we've added three new girls. I'm looking forward to seeing how we perform in this first fall event."

UAB returns all six players who saw significant action last season, led by third-team all-conference selection Evelien Strijker. The Blazers also welcome three freshmen for 2009-10 in Richole Berger, Rachel Cohen and Krista Cole.

UAB is coming off a 6-9 campaign in the 2009 spring season. This weekend's tournament is the first four on the Blazers' fall slate.