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[su_spacer size=”20″] The ITA Kickoff Weekend was created in 2009 as a qualifier for the ITA National Team Indoor Championships. Sixty schools compete for the remaining 15 spots in the national tournament, with a reserved spot for the host institution. After ITA Kickoff Weekend host sites are named, a draft is held with schools selecting which site to play at in order of year-end ITA team rankings.
[su_spacer size=”40″] The Nos. 1 and 4 seeds and the Nos. 2 and 3 seeds will play in the first round with the two winners to play a deciding second round match for a bid to the prestigious National Indoor Championships, which will be hosted by the University of Virginia on the men’s side Feb. 12-15. The women’s tournament will be held at the University of Wisconsin Feb. 5-8.
[su_spacer size=”40″] The Georgia men have won the National Team Indoor twice (2006, ’07) and have reached the finals six additional times (1982, ’94, ’95, ’97, ’98, and 2009). The tournament began in 1973, with Georgia participating every year except 2003. This past season, the Bulldogs posted Kickoff Weekend victories over Michigan State and Utah to reach the final site where they reached the semifinals.
[su_spacer size=”40″] The Georgia women have won National Indoors three times (1994, ’95, ’02) and have reached the National Indoors final seven times, most recently in February. Georgia beat Samford and Auburn this past season to reach the final site.
[su_spacer size=”40″] 2016 ITA Kickoff Weekend Schedule of Play (All times Eastern)
[su_spacer size=”10″] Friday, Jan. 22
9 a.m. Women’s: Old Dominion vs. Tulane
1 p.m. Women’s: Georgia vs. Wyoming
[su_spacer size=”20″] Saturday, Jan. 23
9 a.m. Men’s: Louisville vs. Memphis
1 p.m. Men’s: Georgia vs. UC Santa Barbara
5 p.m. Women’s Consolation
[su_spacer size=”20″] Sunday, Jan. 24
9 a.m. Men’s Consolation
1 p.m. Women’s Championship
5 p.m. Men’s Championship