Frogs Open Qualifying at ITA All-American Championships
10/6/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
Oct. 6, 2009
PACIFIC PALISADES, Calif. - Senior Megan Alexander and sophomore Kayla Duncan competed in the singles qualifying bracket Tuesday at the 2009 Riviera/ITA All-American Championships Sunday at The Riviera Tennis Club.
Alexander, ranked No. 111 in the nation and entering the singles bracket as a lucky loser, began the afternoon by upending No. 68 Micaela Hein from Arizona State in straight sets, 6-1, 6-0. Moving into the qualifying round of 32, the Dallas, Texas native locked up with No. 74 Rika Tatsuno from Michigan for a three-set thriller. Alexander saved four match points and even laid out to return a passing shot to continue the volley, but Tatsuno was too strong in the end, 2-6, 6-4, 7-6 (4).
"It was one of the highest level matches that I have seen in my career with a dramatic ending and it concluded with a dive by Megan to continue a volley, landing on her hip and shoulder simultaneously. If this match is any kind of indication of the grit and effort that the team is going to put out this season, it's going to be a great year."
After Duncan let her first match slip away against No. 29 Natasha Marks from Arizona, 4-6, 7-5, 6-3, the Winston-Salem, N.C., product bounced back with an impressive surge against Florida State's No. 82 Federica Seuss. After finding herself down 3-0 and 5-3 in the second set, Duncan rebounded for a 7-6 (3), 7-5 victory.
"Kayla had a heartbreaker of a match early in the day," Hammond said. "She had an opportunity to put that match away and the player from Arizona had just an outstanding effort, coming back and winning the match. Kayla could have pouted and folded up shop, but she came back in the next match and went after it and got an excellent win against a seasoned player. I'm really glad she can continue on tomorrow and she has earned it."
Duncan will return to the court Wednesday to continue her stretch through the consolation draw. She will take on the winner of Virginia's Emily Fraser and Illinois' Megan Fudge.
2009 RIVIERA/ITA ALL AMERICAN CHAMPIONSHIPS - DAY THREE RESULTS
Los Angeles, Calif. | Oct. 5, 2009
Singles Qualifying Draw (Round of 64)
No. 111 Megan Alexander (TCU) def. No. 68 Micaela Hein (Arizona State), 6-0, 6-1
No. 29 Natasha Marks (Arizona) def. Kayla Duncan (TCU), 4-6, 7-5, 6-3
Singles Qualifying Draw (Round of 32)
No. 74 Rika Tatsuno (Michigan) def. No. 111 Megan Alexander (TCU), 2-6, 6-4, 7-6 (4)
Singles Qualifying Consolation Draw (Round of 32)
Kayla Duncan (TCU) def. No. 82 Federica Seuss (Florida State), 7-6 (3), 7-5
Players Mentioned
