University of Georgia Athletics
Shaffer Earns Bid To ACI Event At US Open
August 18, 2016 | Women's Tennis
ATHENS, Ga. - Georgia junior Kennedy Shaffer received a wild card to play in the third annual American Collegiate Invitational (ACI) during the 2016 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing, N.Y.
The USTA announced the ACI field of top American collegiate players Thursday. Action takes place Sept. 8-10 in New York. Eight men and eight women play single-elimination singles tournaments vying for a wild card entry into the 2017 US Open, main draw or qualifying, contingent on their ranking next summer.
The eight-player fields includes the top two players in the ATP/WTA rankings (as of July 18) and the top five players in the year-end Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) singles rankings (excluding those selected by pro rankings), including at least two graduating seniors or players who have transitioned to pro or spent their collegiate eligibility.
During Shaffer's sophomore campaign, she posted a team-best record of 32-8 as the Bulldogs finished 22-5 and ranked No. 7 nationally. At the NCAA Championship, she grabbed all-American honors by reaching the quarterfinals of the singles tournament before falling to ITA National Rookie of the Year Luisa Stefani of Pepperdine. At the conclusion of the season, Shaffer, a native of Rossford, Ohio, sat at the No. 22 spot in the singles rankings. Last month, she captured a USTA Pro Circuit event, the Women's Hospital Classic in Evansville, Ind., after advancing to the main draw through qualifying. In the final, she outlasted former Michigan standout and 2013 Classic champion Emina Bektas in three sets. Incidentally, former Georgia All-American Lauren Herring won this event last year.
"This is a great opportunity for Kennedy to play in this tournament and a good chance to build on the momentum from her performance last season that continued over the summer," said Georgia associate coach Drake Bernstein."
Also joining Shaffer from Georgia is recent graduate Austin Smith and junior Paul Oosterbaan on the men's side of the bracket.
The American Collegiate Invitational men's and women's champion will receive a 2017 US Open main draw wild card if either is ranked No. 120 or better by the US Open entry deadline next summer. Otherwise, the winners will receive wild card entries into the US Open Qualifying Tournament. In addition, the champions and runner-ups gain wild cards into two USTA Pro Circuit events.
Georgia's 2016-17 fall tournament season kicks off Sept. 23-25 when it plays host to the Georgia Bulldog Classic, at Athens Country Club.
