Southern Illinois University
University of Memphis Invitational
Women's Tennis Continues to Play Well
10/18/2003 | 12:00:00 | Women's Tennis
Oct. 18, 2003
By Dustin Thompson
www.SIUSalukis.com
Memphis, Tenn. - In the opening day of the Memphis Invitational the Salukis got off on the right foot. Senior Alejandra Blanco won her first two matches of the tournament to advance herself to the No. 1 championship Saturday.
After a first round default victory over Amanda Hellberg of Saint Louis University Blanco went on to defeat Vicky Gruber of Memphis 7-6, (3), 6-3. Blanco is scheduled to play today in the championship match against Maria Tasheva of Texas Tech.
Along with Blanco senior Jessica Knitter will also be playing for a championship. Knitter was defeated if the first round of the tournament, but climbed her way through the consolation bracket and is scheduled to play in the No. 3 consolation championship against Marita Rubina of Southwest Missouri State. Joining Knitter in consolation championship play will be sophomore Zoya Honarmand. Honarmand was defeated in the first round but bounced back with a 6-0, 6-0 shut out victory over Krista Hoebing of Southeast Missouri State, to put herself in the No. 5 consolation championship.
In doubles play the Salukis were flawless as they have not been beaten thus far in the invitational. Alejandra Blanco and Tana Trapani advanced to the No. 1 doubles quarterfinal with an 8-2 victory over Hellberg and Lozanova of Saint Louis. In No. 2 doubles Maria Blanco and Jessica Knitter advanced to the quarterfinals, as did Zoya Honarmand and Zuzana Palovic in the No. 3 doubles.
The Memphis Invitational is scheduled to end mid day Saturday with all singles and doubles championships being played. All results can be found at www.siusalukis.com.
Results
No.1 Singles
Alejandra Blanco (SIU) def. Amanda Hellberg (SLU)-(def.)
Alejandra Blanco (SIU) def. Vicky Gruber (MU)-7-6, (3), 6-3
No. 2 Singles
Maria Armato (SWMS) def. Maria Blanco (SIU)-6-2, 6-3
Margot Carter (TTU) def. Maria Blanco (SIU) 6-1, 6-0
No. 3 Singles
Jennifer Ward (MSU) def. Jessica Knitter (SIU)-6-0, 4-6, 6-5
Jessica Knitter (SIU) def. Kay Ehlke (SEMO)-6-0, 6-2
No. 4 Singles
Casadiy Pruitt (MSU) def. Tana Trapani (SIU)-(def.)
No. 5 Singles
Christin Hall (MSU) def. Zoya Honarmand (SIU)-4-6, 6-3, 6-4
Zoya Honarmand (SIU) def. Krista Hoebing (SEMO)-6-0, 6-0>
No. 6 Singles
Zuzana Palovic (SIU) def. Tammy McQueen (MSU)-6-2, 6-1
Christina Weiser (UM) def. Zuzana Palovic (SIU)-6-1, 6-1
No. 1 Doubles
A.Blanco/ Trapani (SIU) def. Hellberg/ Lozanova (SLU)-8-2
No. 2 Doubles
M. Blanco/ Knitter (SIU) def. Alvarez/ Gakovic (SWMO)-8-4
No. 3 Doubles
Honarmand/ Palovic (SIU) def. Hoebing/ Prenderfast (SEMO)-8-0
