Oct. 15, 2005 –The University of the Virgin Islands recently competed in the ODI (Organization of Inter-University Sports) tennis qualifier in Aquadilla, Puerto Rico, last weekend. This qualifier is the first of three events which players must play to qualify for the league championships to be held Nov. 11and12 at the Buccaneer Hotel on St.Croix.
Eight ODI member universities are competing in the men's and women's singles and doubles events. Each university fields a team of three male and female singles players and one each in doubles. The teams compete in a round robin format with the top four qualifiers making it to the ODI League Championships.
After the first qualifier UVI is currently in fifth place in all singles events. Competing for UVI are: Men – Alex Dennis (1), David Hartzell (2), and Carl Christopher (3); Women – Marelle Sylvester (1), Heather Orr (2), and Nicole Orr (3).
According to Coach Bruce Wray, "UVI's players had a tough first weekend playing most of the tougher Puerto Rico teams, including UPR – Ponce, UMET, UPR – Aquadilla, and Politecnica. When we return to Puerto Rico for the second qualifier on the 22nd we face the rest of the field and hope to do better. "
There are eight members participating in the tennis league. They are: UPR-Ponce, UPR-Aquadilla, UPR-Utuado, UPR-Carolina, University, Metropolitan, Caribbean University, University Politecnica, and University Virgin Islands.