West Central Reporter

Western Illinois women's tennis player Paige Grice has had a strong summer, securing two tournament victories and continuing her competitive streak. Grice, who will be a senior this fall, won the International Tennis Association (ITA) series event at Grinnell College and another ITA summer series event at Washburn University. Over these two tournaments, she has achieved nine consecutive match wins.

These victories have qualified Grice for the ITA National Summer Championships taking place this weekend. Joining her in Memphis is Anna-Evelina Trush, who will partner with Grice in the doubles portion of the event. This marks the first time Western Illinois tennis players have qualified for this prestigious competition.

The ITA National Summer Championships powered by WTN is the culmination of the ITA Summer Series powered by WTN. With $20,000 in total prize money at stake, players from across the country will compete in a 32-player singles draw and a 16-team doubles draw hosted by the University of Memphis at the Leftwich Tennis Center from August 10-13.

Qualification for the 2024 ITA National Summer Championships could be earned by finishing in the top three of the ITA Summer Points Race Standings, reaching the semifinals of an ITA Summer Masters Series tournament, or receiving an at-large selection through participation in an ITA Summer Series event over the past six weeks.

Grice's performance this summer placed her among three women qualifiers eligible to participate. The Summer Series featured six weeks of play with tournaments held nationwide. After six weeks, 48 players (24 men and 24 women) from the ITA Summer Masters Series qualified for the National Summer Championships. Grice and five others (three men and two other women) qualified via the ITA Summer Points Race Series.

The Leatherneck women's tennis team is set to begin their fall season in September.