The Hunter Lott Tennis Courts will be a mecca of women's college tennis this weekend as Penn hosts the sixth annual Cissie Leary Memorial Invitational.
Since its start in 1997 -- as a tribute to former Penn coach Cissie Leary who died after 20 years at the helm -- the tournament has exhibited tremendous growth.
In its inaugural year, only seven teams competed. This year, 14 teams -- and an unprecedented 15 of the top-100 ranked players -- from across the country will be competing.
"We really take a lot of pride in this tournament" said Penn head coach Michael Dowd. "It is a great way to remember Cissie."
In addition to the Quakers' contingent, players from Brown, Columbia, Harvard, Marshall, Ohio State, Old Dominion, Penn State, Princeton, Seton Hall, Temple, Texas A & M, Tulane and Yale will be vying for the crown in both singles and doubles action.
Ranked 11th nationally, this year's top seed in singles is Natalie Cahana of Old Dominion. Cahana was also last year's top seed and champion.
But No. 2 seed Penn star Alice Pirsu -- ranked 14th nationally -- enters the tournament with a leg up on Cahana, after upsetting her last week at the William & Mary Invitational.
With stars such as Harvard's Courtney Bergman, ranked 29th nationally, and Princeton's Kavitha Krishnamurthy, ranked 45th, there is little guarantee that the seeds will hold and Cahana and Pirsu will have a rematch in the final.
In doubles action, the tournament features two top-100 pairs. The clear favorite is the nation's 12th ranked duo of Jessica Roland and Ashley Hedberg from Texas A&M.;
Harvard will provide the stiffest competition for the Aggies as the No. 47 ranked team of Sanja Bajinand Alexis Martire looks to score the upset.
"There should be some very high-level tennis this weekend," Dowd said. "I think it is significant how strong this year's event is.
"We are proud of it," he said. "I can't think of another tournament this weekend with as many nationally ranked players."
