May 8, 2006

In just its first year of varsity competition, Fresno Pacific University (Calif.) heads the list of 24 qualifying teams for the 2006 NAIA Women's Tennis National Championship in Mobile, Ala. at the Mobile Tennis Center.  The field consists of 24 teams, 12 automatic berths from region qualification and 12 at-large selections.  The team format competition will begin May 15 and continue through May 19. 

Also qualifying is two-time defending national champion Auburn University Montgomery (Ala.).  The Senators lead the field with six national championships on their resume - 1992, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2004 and 2005.  AUM has won four of the six national titles since the tournament went to the team format in 2000.

The bracket along with match times will be released May 10 by 4 p.m. (Central). The following is a list of the 24 participating teams in alphabetical order and how each qualified for the national tournament.

Auburn University Montgomery (Ala.) - Region XIII Champion
Azusa Pacific University (Calif.) - At-Large #1
Berry College (Ga.) - At-Large #3
Bethany College (Kan.) - Region IV Champion
Brenau University (Ga.) - At-Large #9
Embry-Riddle University (Fla.) - Region XIV Champion
Freed-Hardeman University (Tenn.) - At-Large #4
Fresno Pacific University (Calif.) - Region II Champion
Indiana University Southeast - Region XII Champion
Indiana Wesleyan University - Region VIII Champion
Lewis-Clark State College (Idaho) - Region I Champion
Lindsey Wilson College (Ky.) - Region XI Champion
McKendree College (Ill.) - Region V Champion
University of Mobile (Ala.) - At-Large #8
Northwood University (Fla.) - At-Large #11
Point Loma Nazarene University (Calif.) - At-Large #6
Oklahoma Christian University - At-Large #12
College of St. Scholastica (Minn.) - Region III Champion
Savannah College of Art and Design (Ga.) - At-Large #7
Shorter College (Ga.) - At-Large #5
Southern Nazarene University (Okla.) - Region VI Champion
Tiffin University (Ohio) - Region IX Champion
Vanguard University (Calif.) - At-Large #2
Westmont College (Calif.) - At-Large #10

Click here for more information on this year's national championship.