Avdeeva, Bukina Selected to Compete in ITA All-American Championships

Sept. 6, 2006

<?xml:namespace prefix=”st1″ ns=”urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags”?>LAWRENCE, Kan. – The University of Kansas’ doubles tandem of junior Elizaveta Avdeeva and sophomore Ksenia Bukina has been selected to compete in the main doubles draw at the ITA Preseason All-American Championships in October, and Bukina has also earned a spot in the pre-qualifying singles bracket, the Intercollegiate Tennis Association announced on Wednesday. <?xml:namespace prefix=”o” ns=”urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office”?>

Avdeeva and Bukina, who together went 20-13 in doubles play last season for the Jayhawks garnering All-Big 12 honors, are one of just 12 teams in the country, and the only team from the Central Region, to occupy an initial slot in the main draw. The current field consists of 11 at large bids – – which includes KU’s duo – – and one wild-card selection. Four more teams will earn their way into competition following completion of the qualifying rounds.

Bukina, an All-Big 12 singles selection from a year ago as well, will also go up against 64 of the nation’s best singles players in the pre-qualifying rounds of the singles tournament. If the Obninsk, Russia, native becomes one of eight athletes to advance through pre-qualifying, she will then enter the qualifying round and battle for one of eight berths into the main draw.

The Championships officially get underway with the first rounds of pre-qualifying on October 1on the campus of UCLA. The tournament’s main draws will then begin on October 5, also in Los Angeles.

For more information about the Championships, visit www.itatennis.com.