Chao Ranked 23rd In ITA Southwest Region

1/8/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis

Jan. 8, 2009

HOUSTON -- Rice junior tennis player Julie Chao has a preseason singles ranking of 23rd in the Women's Southwest Region, the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) announced this week. The Rice women's tennis team begins the 2009 spring season with a ranking of 68th in the nation.

In addition to being a two-time All-Conference USA honoree in singles play, Chao earned the 2008 Arthur Ashe Sports-Scholar Award. Last season the standout from San Diego, Calif., went 15-7 in the Owls' No. 1 singles spot.

Rice's first match of the upcoming season is set for Jan. 16 at home at the Jake Hess Tennis Stadium. The Owls host longtime rival Lamar at 1:30 pm. The Rice women's team is under the direction of first-year head coach Elizabeth Schmidt.