COLUMBUS, Ohio – The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) has announced its 24-team qualifying field for the 2008 NAIA Women's Tennis National Championship.   With last weeks AMC/NAIA Region IX Tournament Championship the Ohio Dominican women's tennis team earned an automatic bid and will represent the conference and region in Mobile, Alabama.

The tournament, scheduled for May 12-16, will take place at the Mobile Tennis Center.   No. 1 Auburn, Montgomery looks to defend its national title in the field of 14 automatic qualifiers and 10 at-large selections.  more

After today's brackets were released the Panthers will be facing Embry Riddle University in the opening round. Embry Riddle is currently ranked #9 in the latest NAIA top 25 poll. The opening round match will begin at 9 a.m. on Monday, May 12^th.

COLUMBUS , Ohio – Ohio Dominican's Kristen Gillman (Westerville , OH; pictured), Emily Sampsel (Marysville , OH; pictured), Kate Rodgers (Milford , OH), and Katie Evans (Hilliard , OH) were recently named to the 2008 AMC All-Conference team.

          more

Gillman, a senior at ODU, earned her fourth consecutive AMC Award while playing number one singles for the Panthers. Kristen teamed with Sampsel to hold down the number one doubles spot. Gillman and Sampsel earned their second straight All-AMC Award for doubles after finishing the conference season with an unblemished mark on court one. The #2 doubles team of Kate Rodgers and Katie Evans also earned recognition for their success on the court this season as they were voted one of the top four doubles teams in the American Mideast Conference.

"This is well deserved for all four members of this team. They have all worked extremely hard to bring this program to another level and that hard work and dedication has paid off with the teams first trip to the NAIA National Tournament," said Head Coach Ryan Beigle.

The Panthers, 13-4 (7-0), will compete in the opening round of the NAIA National Tournament in Mobile , Alabama on May 12^th. The opponent has yet to be announced.

CANTON , Ohio – The Ohio Dominican women's tennis team did not relinquish a point as they earned the programs first NAIA Region IX Tournament Title on Friday afternoon in Canton, Ohio. The Panthers knocked off Roberts Wesleyan College, 9-0 in the opening round before dispelling Walsh University, 5-0 in the final.   With the win, ODU qualified for the NAIA National Tournament in Mobile, Alabama May 12^th-15^th.

On Thursday the Panthers used a strong team effort to dismantle the Raiders. ODU jumped out to an early advantage winning 3-of-3 doubles courts in convincing fashion. Earning points for the Panthers were Kristen Gillman (Westerville, OH) and Emily Sampsel (Marysville, OH) at #1 doubles, 8-2, Katie Evans (Hilliard, OH) and Kate Rodgers (Milford, OH) at #2 doubles, 8-1, and Amanda Hollenbaugh (Reynoldsburg, OH) and Ruchika Alahakoon (Colombo, Sri Lanka) at #3 doubles, 8-1.            more

In singles play, ODU won all six courts in straight sets to clinch a berth in the Region IX final. Winning singles points for the Panthers were Gillman and Sampsel at #1 and #2 6-0, 6-0 and 7-6(7), 6-0, Rodgers and Alahakoon at #3 and #4 singles 6-1, 6-1 and 6-1, 6-0, and Hollenbaugh and Katie Strancar (Canton, OH) at #5 and #6 singles 7-5, 6-3 and 6-4, 6-3.  

An inspired effort from the entire line-up gave the women a chance to compete in the National Tournament as they Panthers earned a dominating 5-0 win over the Walsh Cavaliers.

The Panthers showed their toughness in the opening moments of the match as each doubles court fell down early. ODU did not panic as rebounded to take all three doubles courts. Earning doubles points for the Panthers were Gillman and Sampsel at #1, 8-4, Rodgers and Evans at #2, 9-7, and Hollenbaugh and Alahakoon at #3, 8-5.

In singles play, the Panthers knew they would need two courts to win the match after the strong doubles performance. Gillman brought ODU within one point of the title with a strong effort at #1 singles, winning 6-0, 6-0. With one point needed, Emily Sampsel finished her match at #2 singles 6-2, 6-1 to give the Panthers their first Regional Tournament Title.

"What a great opportunity the women have in the coming week to prepare and compete in a national tournament," said head coach Ryan Beigle. "This team has worked extremely hard and I couldn't be more proud of their effort this season."

The Panthers will advance to the NAIA National Tournament on Monday, May 12^th when they will compete for a national title in the 24 team field.

COLUMBUS , Ohio – The Ohio Dominican University men's and women's tennis teams concluded their regular seasons this past week. With successful regular seasons under their belt, both qualified for the NAIA Region IX Tournament which will be held Thursday and Friday, May 1^st and 2^nd in Canton, Ohio. The tournament consists of the top four teams from the AMC regular season.

With an undefeated conference run, the women are primed to earn their first bid to the NAIA National Tournament in Mobile, Alabama. The Panthers finished AMC play with a perfect 7-0 record, marking their first undefeated conference season. ODU will open play on Thursday against AMC foe Roberts Wesleyan College in the #1 vs. #4 match-up. Walsh University will battle Cedarville University in the #2 vs. #3 series. Both teams will begin first round play at 9 a.m.  more

The winners of the first round match-ups will return to action on Friday, May 2nd beginning at 9 a.m.

The men qualified for the regional field again after a year hiatus. The Panthers finished the AMC season with a 2-3 record and a 4^th place finish in the very competitive AMC field. ODU will open the tournament against the #1 seed Malone College Pioneers on Thursday afternoon at 1 p.m. Walsh University and Cedarville University will battle in the #2 vs. #3 match-up, also beginning at 1 p.m.

The winners of each first round match-up will return to action on Friday, May 2nd, beginning at 1 p.m.