CHARLESTON, Ill. -- Eastern Illinois men's and women's tennis is set to open fall action this weekend, as the Panthers will host the third annual Alumni Match on Saturday (Sep. 2), with first serves scheduled for 10 a.m. the Rex Darling Courts.

Head coach John Blackburn is expecting about 25 alumni (who previously played on a Panther squad from 1952 thru 2012) to make a return trip back to campus.

“This will be the third year for our alumni match and it's become one of the favorite days of the season for the current team, as well as myself,” said Blackburn.  “It's always amazing and a bit humbling for our current squad to witness the support they have from alumni from all over the United States and the world.

“We have a lot of fun as well,” added Blackburn, “and it's great to see old friends meet up on campus and for the alumni to connect and build relationships with our current players. We truly have an EIU tennis family here.”

The official autumn slate for the 2012-13 Panthers gets underway on Sep. 14-16 as the Eastern women compete at the SIU Edwardsville Fall Invitational, while the men open play at the Wright State Fall Invitational on Sep. 21-23.

... for more info, contact Bart Rettberg, Asst. SID