Sept. 15, 2011

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Samford University women's tennis team will compete in its first tournament of the 2011 fall season this weekend as the Bulldogs head to Charleston, S.C., for the Ninth Annual College of Charleston Invitational to be held at Patriots Point.

The talent-laden tournament will be held Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 16-18, at the College of Charleston's Patriots Point. Some of the top teams in the region will be participating.

This year's tournament field is comprised of 10 teams including Samford, Air Force, Jacksonville, North Florida, Charleston Southern, UNC Charlotte, Coastal Carolina as well as Southern Conference foes Davidson, Chattanooga and College of Charleston. Competition will begin each day at 7 a.m. (CDT).

Samford heads into the 2011-12 campaign boasting six returning players in seniors Jessica Diamond, Madelie Janse Van Rensburg, Rebecca Kirven and Lindsey Mallory, as well as sophomores Kristin Lewis and Emily Mallory. Also joining the Bulldogs' roster this season is highly-touted AnnMarie Lyon, a true freshman from Lexington, Ky.

Action in the Ninth Annual College of Charleston Invitational will get underway Friday at 7 a.m. (CDT), in a flighted format that will continue through Sunday. Updated draw sheets with results and times will be posted online at www.CofCSports.com after the conclusion of each day's competition.

Following this weekend's tournament held at Patriots Point, the Samford University women's tennis team will next be in action Sept. 23-25, as the Bulldogs are scheduled to participate in the 2011 Georgia State Fall Invite to be held in Atlanta, Ga.