Sept. 19, 2008
William & Mary Invitational Day One Results
Williamsburg, Va. - The Penn State women's tennis team opened its fall season today at the William & Mary Invitational with a successful showing as five players advanced in their respective singles bracket. The tournament continues tomorrow and Sunday at the Busch Courts.
Headlining the list of Nittany Lions to move on in singles play was junior Lauren Holzberg (Easton, Conn.) who advanced to the Flight A second round after defeating Cami Hubbs of Ohio State in a hard-fought victory. Holzberg struggled in the first set losing by a 2-6 margin, but came back strong in the second and third sets winning 7-5 and 11-9, respectively.
"Holzberg represented us well in the "A" Flight. I was really proud of her for fighting hard through three sets," said head coach Dawna Prevette. "Our singles play was great. The team put forth a strong effort, we still have a long way to go but I am really pleased with the day."
In other singles play, junior Sarah Lotto (Toronto, Ontario) defeated Elon's Elisa Simonetti in a strenuous three-set match (6-4, 2-6, 10-8) and freshman Maria Prishlyak (Kiev, Ukraine) downed Kelly Tidwell of Richmond (6-0, 6-2). Senior Leyla Morzan (Vancouver, British Columbia) topped Richmond's Ashlee Vosters in straight sets (6-3, 7-5). Junior Lauren McCarthy (Danbury, Conn.) did not participate in singles today as she advanced via walkover.
Also in singles action, freshman Monika Mical (Stalowa Wola, Poland) fell to Arkansas' Anouk Tigu (6-3, 6-0) and freshman Allie Hefter was defeated by Lauren Sessoms of Elon (6-2, 6-2).
In doubles play, McCarthy and Prishlyak posted an impressive 9-7 victory over Gabriela Mejia and Jenna Osborne of Miami (Fla.) in the first round and advanced to defeat Helen Cunningham and Kelly Tidwell of Richmond in the quarterfinals, 8-6. Also in doubles action, Holzberg and Lotto fell to Michaela Kissell and Lauren Greco of Miami (Fla.), 8-1, and Mical and Morzan came up short against Paige Kensrue and Daleen Kloppers of Elon, 8-5.
Penn State Results at William & Mary Invitational (Day One)
Doubles
Flight A First Round: Kissell/Greco (Miami) def. Holzberg/Lotto (PSU) - 8-1
Flight A Quarterfinal: Kasztelaniec/Sabacinski (W&M) def. Holzberg/Lotto (PSU) - 8-2
Flight B First Round: McCarthy/Prishlyak (PSU) def. Mejai/Osborne (Miami) - 9-7
Flight B First Round: Kensrue/Kloppers (Elon) def. Mical/Morzan (PSU) - 8-5
Flight B Quarterfinal: McCarthy/Prishlyak (PSU) def. Cunningham/Tidwell (UR) - 8-6
Flight B Consolation QF: DiPastina/Keesey (OSU) def. Mical/Morzan (PSU) - 8-1
Flight C: Morrissey (W&M)/Dracheva (Miami) def. Hefter/Zobeideh (PSU) - Walkover
Flight C: Delaney/Mabatah (BC) def. Hefter/Zobeideh (PSU) - Walkover
Singles
Flight A First Round: Lauren Holzberg (PSU) def. Cami Hubbs (OSU) - 2-6, 7-5, 11-9
Flight B First Round: Anouk Tigu (Ark) def. Monika Mical (PSU) - 6-3, 6-0
Flight C First Round: Sarah Lotto (PSU) def. Elisa Simonetti (Elon) - 6-4, 2-6, 10-8
Flight C First Round: Maria Prishlyak (PSU) def. Kelly Tidwell (UR) - 6-0, 6-2
Flight D First Round: Lauren McCarthy (PSU) def. Brittany Delaney (BC) - Walkover
Flight D First Round: Leyla Morzan (PSU) def. Ashlee Vosters (UR) - 6-3, 7-5
Flight E First Round: Lauren Sessoms (Elon) def. Allie Hefter (PSU) - 6-2, 6-2