Huskies Strong on Opening Day of ITA Regional Tourney
ALLENDALE, Mich. – The Michigan Tech women's tennis team had a strong showing on day one at the ITA Regional Tournament, hosted by Grand Valley State University on Saturday. All three "A Singles" competitors advanced with two wins each and go into Sunday's round unbeaten.
Freshman Samantha Johnson secured a pair of wins in "A Singles" for Michigan Tech on Saturday. Johnson topped Mokhasi of Illinois Springfield 6-4, 6-3 to advance to the winner's bracket of round one. Johnson kept rolling against Paixao of Ferris State thanks to scores of 6-3, 6-0. She'll face Volikova of the University of Indianapolis in her first match on Sunday.
Freshman Jessica Brown powered past Ritson of Davenport in her first match Saturday with final scores of 6-2, 6-1 and then faced Brito from Findlay in the second round. Brown cruised once again to advance into the third round, on the strength of 6-2, 6-0 scores. She'll battle Czarnecki of Rockhurst at 8:30 a.m. Sunday.
Sophomore Ivona Gorgioski rounded out "A Singles" competition on Saturday with two more wins for the Huskies. Gorgioski defeated Bell of Hillsdale College 7-6, 6-3 to get into the second round. Gorgioski then took on Pilzova of Lewis University and after pulling away in the first set 6-1, she held on for the win with a 7-5 decision in set two to generate a match with Novikova of Indianapolis Sunday at 8:30 a.m.
In "A Doubles" competition on Saturday, the Huskies got a win from senior Vicky Quinde and Johnson. They got past the team of Griva/Canelloupolous of Grand Valley State, but fell to Gao/Campbell of Saginaw Valley State in the second round 8-2.
In the "B Singles" bracket, freshman Mirna Golac upended Johnson of Saginaw Valley State 6-1, 7-5 to advance to round two. Unfortunately, she then fell to Lavanant of Ferris State in three sets. Golac grabbed the first set victory 6-4 and came up just short in set two 7-5. The third and deciding set went Lavanant's way 10-4.
Quinde also competed in the "B Singles" bracket Saturday and recorded two wins for Michigan Tech. She swept Stamate 6-0, 6-0 and then Smith of Bellarmine 6-0, 7-6 (3). Quinde will play Hanover from Grand Valley State on Sunday at 8:30 a.m.
In the "B Doubles" consolation bracket on Saturday, junior Anabella Neri and senior Allenca Rolim paired up for an 8-5 win over Flaxbeard and Romero of Rockurst. They will play Bolmenas and Schwartz of Davis & Elkins Sunday in round three.
Neri won her "B Singles" consolation match against Anderson 6-0, 6-0 Saturday and will play Dowden in the second round on Sunday. Rolim had a bye in the consolation bracket of "B Singles and will also compete at 9:45 a.m. Sunday in round two.
This year's ITA Regional Tournament is a three-day event which continues on day two Sunday and wraps up on Monday with the finals. The full results from Saturday can be viewed by clicking here.