UC Tennis Center

Like several other UC athletics teams, the women's tennis team has persevered through a period of time without a home facility. The new UC Tennis Center will allow the Bearcats an on-campus facility to practice and host home events.

The UC Tennis Center features six courts in three different sections with lighting and grandstand seating for 500. Located between the UC Baseball Stadium and Nippert Stadium and across from Gettler Stadium, the center is just steps away from the , which will house the entire athletic department.

The centralized location and accessibility are key factors for third-year head tennis coach Kimberly Jones.

"It will be nice now that we are on campus. It will definitely be easier for the players," the former WTA professional said. "I really like the setup. You can actually stand or sit at the top of the stands and watch multiple courts. It will be more intimate for each of the matches."

The squad has spent several seasons practicing off campus. The Bearcats train at Five Seasons Country Club in Mason and Queen City Racquet Club in Sharonville, car pooling about 30 minutes each way.

Jill Klauck, the lone senior on the 2005-06 tennis team, has done her share of driving back and forth to practices.

"We are commuting about 30 minutes to practice every day and that makes for a long haul. It drags your day on," Klauck said. "I think our program will be so much better (with the courts), not only for the current players but for the whole recruiting process."

Klauck, a native of , , had some outside influence on her decision to attend the for the 2002 school year. Her older sister, Julie, was going into her sophomore year at UC and was a member of the tennis program as well.

Klauck thinks the new facilities will seal the deal for recruits who visit the campus.

"When I came on my visit, I really liked the competitiveness of the practices and the academics were a huge factor as well," said Klauck, who ranks seventh in history in singles victories. "Now you add in the new tennis center and UC becomes a lot more attractive to recruits."

The building blocks for success are in place. As welcomes in a new era in its athletics history, the tennis program is on the rise.

"The quality of the facilities will be fabulous," Jones stated. "Everything will be new and clean, it will be very impressive. Everything is centrally located. I think it will be really great."

is a tremendous tennis city with a long history of support for the game. The of , with its new facilities and young squad, will become a major part of tennis for years to come.