Alsola, Richardson Earn ITA National Berths

BERKELEY – Two members of the California women's tennis team – Jessica Alsola and Erin Richardson – will compete in the doubles draw in the ITA National Fall Championships from Nov. 4-7 in San Diego. The ITA chose the Golden Bears as an at-large duo for the 32-team doubles field. Alsola is also the fourth alternate for the singles draw at the Barnes Tennis Center.
 
"First off, we're just excited to be concluding the fall season at fall nationals, after not having a fall half of the season last year," Cal head coach Amanda Augustus said. "It's also nice to have two players qualify for the first time in our freshman Jessica Alsola and junior Erin Richardson. We're looking forward to seeing what they're able to do, because it's a new doubles team for us. They played quite well at regionals, so we're looking forward to seeing them build on that and see how deep of a run they can make in San Diego."
 
How the pair does at fall nationals could help decide one of the three doubles teams that the Bears use in the spring's dual matches.
 
"We'll see," Augustus said. "That's also why it's great to have the fall again. Obviously if they win the tournament, I think I should give it a hard look. But the fall is great because among other things we're trying to figure out the three best doubles teams for the spring. We'll have other players going to Arizona State, so we'll look at all of it and go from there."
 
Cal will also send a contingent to play in the ASU Thunderbird Invitational from Nov. 5-7 in Tempe, Arizona.