EVANSVILLE, Ind. – The University of Southern Indiana women's tennis earned its second NCAA Division II Tournament berth in three seasons and will play Grand Valley State University in the first round of the Great Lakes Regional in Big Rapids, Michigan. The regional is hosted by Ferris State University May 5-6.

The Screaming Eagles finished the regular season with a 14-5 overall record, placing second in the GLVC Tournament last fall. USI was the third seed in the GLVC Tournament after posting a 7-2 league record. USI sewed up the tournament berth by going 3-2 during the spring season.

USI is led by the GLVC Freshman of the Year, Sara Wilhoite (Connersville, Indiana). Wilhoite was 16-7 overall, 7-2 in the GLVC, and recorded a 13-4 dual match record at number one singles. She also combined with junior Ashley Rees (Vincennes, Indiana) for a 14-6 record in doubles play.

In singles competition, Wilhoite is followed by a trio of 14-match winners. Sophomore number four player Audra Bartelt (Jasper, Indiana) was 14-5 overall and 10-3 in dual matches, while freshmen Reilly Ackerman (Mt. Carmel, Indiana) and Maggie Coffman (Sellersburg, Indiana) were 14-8 at number three and six singles, respectively.

Rees also posted a double-figure win season at number two singles, going 11-8 overall, 9-6 in dual matches.

The first-round opponent GVSU enters the tournament with a 27-3 overall record and placed fourth in the GLIAC. The Lakers defeated USI in April, 6-3, at a neutral site in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Host Ferris State will play Wayne State University in the opposite bracket. The other half of the Great Lakes Regional, which is played in Midland, Michigan, features the University of Indianapolis versus Mercyhurst College and host Northwood University against West Liberty State College.