May 20, 2008

Auburn, Ala. - Auburn women's tennis players Fani Chifchieva, Alex Haney and Melissa Koning are headed to Tulsa, Okla., prepared to begin competition at the 2008 NCAA Women's Singles and Doubles Championships hosted by the University of Tulsa at the Michael D. Case Tennis Center.

Chifchieva will compete in the singles draw as a seeded 9-16 competitor. She will face Beier Ko of Harvard on Wednesday at 4:30 p.m.

Haney and Koning will compete in the doubles draw and face Elizabeth Ferris and Emily Kwok of Utah on Thursday.

"We are thrilled to be here," said Auburn head coach Tim Gray. "Everyone is set and we have a chance to make a good run. We are happy with our draw. We just need to be ready and motivated."

Chifchieva, ranked No. 14 by the ITA, is 23-2 in 2008 with two wins in the postseason. She clinched Auburn's first round victory over Ohio State with a 7-6, 6-1, win over Paloma Escobedo in the number one spot.

This is Chifchieva's second year at the individual championship. In 2007 Chifchieva advanced to the second round of the tournament and was named an ITA All-American.

Haney and Koning also make their second appearance at the championships. The pair is ranked as the No. 14 doubles team in the nation. They have put together a 16-3 doubles record including three post season wins.

For complete bracket and tournament information, please visit www.ncaa.com.