TEMP, Ariz. - Slippery Rock University women's tennis standouts Nicole Kempton and Nadia Rodewald have qualified as a doubles team for the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) Division II Individual Championships.
 
The ITA Division II Individual Championships will take place Nov. 4-8 at the Tuscaloosa Tennis Center in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. All selected entries for the event are guaranteed of competing in at least three matches.
 
In its inaugural year, the Division II Individual Championships features a field of 32 singles athletes and 32 doubles teams.
 
Automatic berths were given to the champions and runners-up from the eight ITA regional championship sites, with remaining field in both draws being made up of 16 at-large berths that were selected by the ITA Operating Committee.  
 
Kempton and Rodewald earned an at-large bid into the elite tournament field after what was a great fall season for the duo that are in their first year as a pairing.
 
Competing at four tournaments during The Rock's individual portion of the season, Kempton and Rodewald won eight of their 11 matches. Most recently, the duo advanced to semifinals of the ITA Atlantic Region Championships before losing a close 8-7 (11-9) decision to eventual regional champions Asel Calbay and Chia-Ying Lu.
 
While it is their first season as a team, their early success should come as no surprise as both Kempton and Rodewald have enjoyed great success in doubles competition at The Rock throughout their respective careers.
 
A year ago, Kempton partnered with Alissia Kivi to advance to the ITA Atlantic Region championship match which garnered the duo a berth into the ITA Cup as part of a season in which they went 21-12 and finished as the No. 45 ranked doubles team in the nation. Rodewald meanwhile teamed with Dari Sakhanova and went a nearly perfect 23-3.
 
Official draws and start times for the ITA Division II Individual Championships will be announced in the coming days. A full preview and breakdown for the event will be posted on roackathletics.com the week of the competition.





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