09/12/2007
Women's Tennis Will Host First Annual Doubles Tournament

WORCESTER, MASS. 09/10/07 -- When the Clark University women’s tennis team set out to accomplish a task, they marched straight to the top. The Cougars will host their first annual doubles tennis tournament with the final round featuring President John Bassett at Corash Tennis Courts on Sunday at Noon.

According to senior captain Kristen Domurad, she contacted President Bassett on a whim. "I saw him at one of our matches and he mentioned that he played," she said. "So when all of this came about, I just emailed him and he was really happy to be involved."

The winner of the round robin tournament will face off against President Bassett and former Clark tennis player Emily Slack ’07 for the first place prize.

Teams can enter the event by contributing $6 that will go towards the Light the Night Walk - a campaign for leukemia and lymphoma cancer patients and families - or donating used sports equipment for the Boys and Girls Club on Tainter Street.

Domurad said having established relationships certainly helps the cause. She works with the Community Engagement and Volunteering Center, who the Cougars will partner with in the Light the Night Walk at Assumption College on Oct. 21, and the squad hopes to build on the relationship that the athletic department has already established with the Boys and Girls Club.

Additionally, the Cougar squad wants the event to bring awareness to tennis on the Clark campus. "Tennis struggles with getting fan support and general awareness," said fifth-year head coach Jim Hayes. "Hopefully this tournament will generate some interest."

"It was truly a team concept and I applaud their efforts and creativity," he said. "It should be fun!"

As for the competition on Sunday? "A few team members will play, but they will not be paired up with each other," Domurad laughed. "We didn’t think that would be fair."

"But watch out for President Bassett," she said. "He’s good!"

Prizes will be given to the top three finishers.

There are still available spaces in the tournament. Contact Kristen Domurad at kdomurad@clarku.edu for additional information.