Three UA athletes will be competing in the International Tennis Association’s women’s National Indoor Intercollegiate Championships, held today through Nov. 7 in Flushing, N.Y., the site of the U.S. Open.

Alabama will be represented in both the disciplines of tennis: singles by Mary Ann Macfarlane and doubles by the team of Courtney McLane and Alexa Guarachi.

Head coach Jenny Mainz sees all this success as a positive reflection of the program.

“It’s been five years since we’ve had both singles and doubles represented,” she said. “When you are in distinct company, it means opportunities elsewhere.”

Being represented at this tournament is also a measuring stick of where the program is headed.

“We had talked about this event and the fact that you have to earn your way in and win the qualifying matches,” Mainz said. “It is not easy. Having athletes in this tournament indicates that we’re doing the right things.”

The importance of this event is not lost on the competitors.

“It’s really important,” Macfarlane said. “It will give me an opportunity to help the team and to represent the school.”

Mainz spelled out what makes this tournament what it is.

“It’s the elite collegiate players,” she said. “It’s a very elite draw, with only 32 singles and 16 doubles. This is also a chance for the players to pick up wins against nationally-ranked opponents.”

It is clear the players have learned quite a bit from all the experience, working their way up to this moment.

“We have learned that we can play and compete with anyone,” McLane said.

“Through this I have learned to stay calm, stick with my plays and play hard no matter what,” Macfarlane said.

The doubles team made known their confidence for the upcoming challenges.

“We are not the No. 2 team for nothing,” Guarachi said.

McLane said, “We honestly believe that we can beat anyone in this tournament.”

They also pointed out that they might have an advantage playing indoors.

“The surface indoors plays much faster, which works well with our style of play,” McLane said.

The team also mentioned the benefits of having a partner during a tough tournament like this.

“It’s a lot more fun; we keep each other pumped up,” Guarachi said.

McLane said, “We complement each other very well. It’s always good to have someone you know and trust to back you up.”

Macfarlane was slightly more humble when expressing her level of confidence.

“[My confidence level] is not any better because there is always someone better,” she said. “I’m going to just keep my head down and play my game.”

One thing that is not wavering is the pure excitement the competitors feel.

“I am so excited,” Macfarlane said. “This is the first time I am going to New York, and I’m able to go with my team and coaches to represent Alabama.”

Guarachi said, “We want to go out this fall season with a bang. Since we were so close last year, we were really motivated to get there this time.”