Duncan Maintains Impressive Play at All-American Invite
10/4/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
Oct. 4, 2009
LOS ANGELES -- Sophomore Kayla Duncan advanced in the final day of prequalifying at the 2009 Riviera/ITA All-American Championships Sunday at the Los Angeles Tennis Courts on the campus of UCLA.
Duncan earned a straight-set singles victory over Brittany Wowchuck from Northwestern, 6-1, 6-1, to advance into the qualifying stages of the tournament. The 2009 all-Mountain West Conference singles and doubles honoree will return Tuesday to take on No. 29 Natasha Marks from Arizona.
"I am awfully proud of the way Kayla played today," TCU head coach Jefferson Hammond said. "She had a grade 'A' mental game and it proved to be a real help when combined with excellent match play. She is looking forward to continuing to play at a high level."
Senior Megan Alexander had the opportunity to continue her week in the singles bracket alongside Duncan, but dropped her prequalifying round of 16 match to UC Irvine's Stephanie Hammel, 7-6 (5), 6-3. However, Alexander made the qualifying field as a lucky loser, and will take on No. 68 Micaela Hein from Arizona State.
TCU also had the doubles duo of Alexander and Maria Babanova competing for the opportunity to advance into the qualifying doubles bracket. The pair started the day with a dominating victory in the round of 16 over Texas A&M's Stephanie Davidson and Nazari Urbina, 8-2.
The duo would have to battle in a second match Sunday against Lutfiana Budiharto and Stephanie Dalmacio from Wichita State, falling, 8-6. The Shockers are now led by former TCU assistant coach Colin Foster.
"Both teams played a really nice match at a very high really," Hammond said. "It was a very entertaining match and the Frogs just ended up on the wrong side of it."
Singles and doubles qualifying will run Tuesday and Wednesday before giving way to the main draw brackets. Fans can follow all of the action from the tournament central page at ITA Tennis.
RIVIERA/ITA ALL-AMERICAN CHAMPIONSHIPS - DAY TWO RESULTS
Los Angeles, Calif. | Oct. 4, 2009
Singles Prequalifying Draw (Quarterfinals)
Stephanie Hammel (UC Irvine) def. No. 111 Megan Alexander (TCU), 7-6 (5), 6-3
Kayla Duncan (TCU) def. Brittany Wowchuk (Northwestern), 6-1, 6-1
Doubles Prequalifying Draw (Round of 16)
Alexander/Babanova (TCU) def. Davidson/Urbina (Texas A&M), 8-2
Doubles Prequalifying Draw (Quarterfinals)
Budiharto/Dalmacio (Wichita State) def. Alexander/Babanova (TCU), 8-6
Players Mentioned
