Oct. 11, 2009
LEXINGTON, Ky. - In the final day of play at the Kentucky Invitational, sophomore Michaela Stracar (Jericho, N.Y.) and freshman Sarah Henderson (Auckland, New Zealand) edged Stephanie Villajuan and Louise Noe of Louisville in a thrilling 9-8(6) victory in the Flight B consolation championship. Freshman Petra Januskova (Ottawa, Canada) also recorded a singles win for the Nittany Lions, topping Illinois' Breanne Smutko in consolation play, 6-2, 3-6, 10-7.
"I was happy for Michaela Stracar and Sarah Henderson. They fought through a rough day and found a way to pull it out in the end," said head coach Dawna Prevette. "Overall, we have some improvements to make before the next tournament and I know the girls are excited to tackle these challenges in practice."
In other consolation singles action, Riley Blanks of Virginia nabbed a 6-1 win in the first set over Henderson, but was blanked 6-0 in the second. Blanks snuck by Henderson in the tiebreaker, winning 13-11. Sophomore Maria Prishlyak (Kiev, Ukraine) was defeated by Michelle Sulahian of Michigan in straight sets, 6-3, 6-3, while senior Lauren McCarthy (Danbury, Conn.) fell to Illinois' Marisa Lambropolous, 6-0, 6-0.
In consolation doubles play, Denise Muresan and Michelle Sulahian of Michigan handed Januskova and McCarthy an 8-2 loss. Prishlyak and fellow sophomore Allie Hefter (Longmont, Colo.) dropped an 8-0 decision to Hana Tomljanovic and Neela Vaez of Virginia.
Next up, the Nittany Lions travel to Blacksburg, Va. Oct. 22 to take part in the ITA Regional Tournament. The Lions wrap up their fall season at the Purdue Invitational the weekend of Nov. 6.
University of Kentucky Invitational: Day Three Results
SINGLES
Consolation Bracket
Petra Januskova (PSU) def. Breanne Smutko (UI), 6-2, 3-6, 10-7
Riley Blanks (UVA) def. Sarah Henderson (PSU), 1-6, 6-0, 13-11
Michelle Sulahian (UM) def. Maria Prishlyak (PSU), 6-3, 6-3
Marisa Lambropolous (UI) def. Lauren McCarthy (PSU), 6-0, 6-0
DOUBLES
Flight B Doubles
Consolation Final: Michaela Stracar/Sarah Henderson (PSU) def. Stephanie Villajuan/Louise Noe (UL), 9-8(6)
Consolation Bracket
Denise Muresan/Michelle Sulahian (UM) def. Petra Januskova/Lauren McCarthy (PSU), 8-2
Hana Tomljanovic/Neela Vaez (UVA) def. Allie Hefter/Maria Prishlyak (PSU), 8-0