Full NCAA Individual Championships Selection Announcement

HAVERFORD, Pa. - Haverford College women's tennis sophomore Abbey Russano has been selected to compete in the singles competition at the NCAA Division III Women's Tennis Championships in Orlando, Florida. 

Russano is the first Haverford player to earn individual qualification to the national tournament since Amanda Figland in 1988. Russano earns qualification after a 10-6 record during the dual match season, including a 6-2 mark in Centennial Conference play. Moving into the top flight, Russano made her mark with a 6-1 record at No. 1 singles this season. In the Centennial Conference semifinals on Saturday, the Bridgewater, N.J. product added a big regionally-ranked win over Jenny Lewis of Swarthmore, rallying in three (0-6, 6-1, 6-2) after dropping the first set. 

For the individual championships, the national committee selected a percentage of singles players and doubles teams from each of the eight regions. The individual championships consist of 32 singles players and 16 doubles teams. The selection of teams and individuals for the championships is based on won-lost record, strength of schedule, and eligibility and availability of student-athletes.

In Region III, the top two singles players were selected as Russano was ranked seventh in the penultimate regional rankings, jumping up to that coveted second spot in the selection day release. The individual championships will be held from May 27-29  at the USTA National Campus in Orlando, Florida. The championships are hosted jointly by the United States Tennis Association, Oglethorpe University, and the Greater Orlando Sports Commission.

The draw for the individual championship will be made by the women's tennis committee and will be released on May 25 not before 5 p.m. Eastern time.