Aug. 23, 2012

The relationship between Griz Nation and Griz athletes is usually defined by the idea that you watch, and they compete. Montana women's tennis coach Steve Ascher, the 2012 Big Sky Conference Coach of the Year, is once again removing that barrier.

The Griz women's tennis program, which finished runner-up at last spring's Big Sky tournament, will be hosting the fourth annual Play with a Griz Day on Sunday, Sept. 23, at the Lindsay Tennis Center on campus. The event will run from 1 to 3 p.m.

The event is an opportunity for local tennis players to step on the court and play mixed doubles with members of this year's team, which will once again be in the running for the program's first-ever conference title.

The members of this year's team are senior Heather Davidson (Rocklin, Calif.), juniors Ashley Mackey (Murrieta, Calif.) and Maddy Murray (Dallas, Texas), sophomores Sasha Carter (Bainbridge Island, Wash.), Haley Driver (Scottsdale, Ariz.), Precious Gbadamosi (Houston, Texas) and Laurence Pelchat (Repentigny, Quebec) and freshman Mackenzie Rozell (Springfield, Mo.).

A portion of the proceeds from the event will go to support the women's tennis team, with the remainder going to a local charity.

The cost of the event is $30, and that includes a piece of Griz gear. To sign up or get more information, contact Ascher at 406-370-9436 or steven.ascher@mso.umt.edu. Checks should be made out to: The University of Montana Foundation -- Women's Tennis.