Oct. 22, 2009
BLACKSBURG, Va.; - In today's qualifying round of singles at the Wilson/ITA regional senior Sarah Lotto (Toronto, Canada) grabbed two singles wins over Sarah Tegner of Radford, 6-0, 6-3, and Howard's Michelle Brown, 6-1, 6-4, to advance to the main draw. Freshman Sarah Henderson (Auckland, New Zealand) put up a fight against Neela Vaez of Virginia, but fell in three sets, 5-7, 7-5, 7-6(5).
"Sarah Lotto did a great job today, I expected her to move through and she played solid tennis," said head coach Dawna Prevette. "Tomorrow will be a challenge but I know she's up for it.
Despite Sarah Henderson's singles loss today, she is improving with her focus and it will be nice for her to build on this in the backdraw."
In doubles action, senior Lauren McCarthy (Danbury, Conn.) and Henderson were defeated by Virginia's Vaez and Riley Blanks, 8-5.
In tomorrow's opening round of the main singles draw, freshman Amy Simidian (Carlstadt, N.J.) will square off against Mimi Hamling of George Washington. Lotto faces No. 73 Jenny Stevens of Virginia, while McCarthy will play Richmond's Kelly Tidwell. In the doubles draw, Lotto and Simidian will take on Erin Clark and Helen Cunningham of Richmond.
Play at the Wilson/ITA Atlantic Regional in Blacksburg continues through Monday. Following this weekend's play, the Nittany Lions will wrap up their fall season at the Purdue Invitational the weekend of Nov. 6.
Wilson/ITA Atlantic Regional: Day One Results
SINGLES
Qualifying Round
Sarah Lotto (PSU) def. Sarah Tegner (RU), 6-0, 6-3
Sarah Lotto (PSU) def. Michelle Brown (HU), 6-1, 6-4
Neela Vaez (UVA) def. Sarah Henderson (PSU), 5-7, 7-5, 7-6(5)
DOUBLES
Qualifying Round
Neela Vaez/Riley Blanks (UVA) def. Lauren McCarthy/Sarah Henderson (PSU), 8-5