Oct. 21, 2011
Norfolk, Va. - Four Nittany Lions began competition in the ITA Regional today. Carmen Sandor (Toronto, Canada) won two matches in the qualifying round to advance into the tournament's main draw, while Fernanda Perrotta (Buenos Aires, Argentina) will find out if she will compete in the main tournament tomorrow.
Sandor opened up play versus Jacqui Corba of George Washington. In the first set, the duo battled to a tiebreaker that Sandor eventually lost 6-7 (5). However, the sophomore stormed back and won the next two sets, 6-4, 7-5. In the second round, Sandor faced Juliana Pires of Old Dominion. After losing the first set 2-6, she won the next two, 6-2, 6-3. Because of her two wins Sandor will play in the tournament's main draw of 64, which begins competition tomorrow.
Perrotta faced Virginia's Molly O'Koniewski in the first round, in which the senior pulled out an impressive 6-2, 6-4 win. In the second round, she was pitted against Howard's Brittney Morgan and lost a close match, 7-5, 6-3. Although Perrotta did not win the necessary two matches to advance into the main draw, if two players drop out of tomorrow's tournament she has the opportunity to replace one.
In doubles action, Sandor teamed up with Marie Bedard (Montreal, Canada) to play Aurora Davis and Lauren Roy of St. Joseph's. The duo dominated their opponent, claiming an 8-1 victory to advance into the doubles round of 32.
Perrotta competed in doubles as well, partnering with Chelsea Utting (Peachtree City, Ga.). The pair pulled out an easy win over Devi Jadeja and Casey Robinson of St. Joseph's, 8-2.
The ITA Regional will kick off main draw singles action tomorrow, in addition to continuing doubles play. The tournament runs through Tuesday.