Women’s Tennis Fairs Well In First Day Of Wolfpack Invitational

--- Two Bulldog duos face off for a place in the final round ---

Sept. 29, 2006

Raleigh, N.C. ---- The Samford women’s tennis team had a great first day today at the 2006 Residence Inn North Wolfpack Invitational hosted by North Carolina State. Three singles have moved on to the second round of the singles flights and three doubles have moved on to the third round of the doubles flights in the tournament.

Junior Katie McMiller defeated Presley Thomas of East Carolina, 6-1, 6-1. She will face Sarize Coetzee of Coastal Carolina tomorrow at 4 p.m., in the quarterfinals of the Flight B2 Singles.

Senior Emily White beat Appalachian State’s Frances Blanton, 6-1, 6-0, to get to the quarterfinals of the Flight B4 Singles. She will meet Maria Camberos of Coastal Carolina tomorrow at 2:15 p.m.

In the Flight C2 Singles, senior Bulldog Sarah McKey defeated Mallory Cook of Appalachian State, 6-3, 6-1. She will take on Ally Barry of NC State tomorrow afternoon at 2 p.m.

Freshman Whitney Flescher beat Courtney Armitano of Campbell, 6-0, 6-2, to move to the next round in the Flight D2 Singles. She will play Ashley Heard of Charleston Southern tomorrow at 5:30 p.m.

Junior Anna Jackson lost to Alejandra Guerra, 6-4, 6-4, to move into the consolation bracket of the Flight A2 Singles. This was a hard-fought loss for Jackson against the tough number two player from NC State. Jackson will meet up with Mireia Gol of East Carolina tomorrow at 12:30 p.m.

Senior Bethany Benson also moved to the consolation bracket of Flight C3 as she lost to Alex Smith of East Carolina, 6-3, 3-6, 7-5. Benson will play Whitney Ambush of Howard tomorrow at 3:45 p.m.

Senior Christy Baker lost to Lauren Barry of NC State, 6-2, 6-2, to put her in the consolation bracket of the Flight D1 Singles. Baker will play Teresa Stevens of Western Carolina tomorrow at 4:00 p.m.

In the Flight A2 Doubles, White and McKey defeated Williams/Smyers of Wofford, 8-5, and Walter/Thomas of East Carolina, 8-3, to move on to the third round. They play Brock/Bleakley of NC State tomorrow morning at 8:30 a.m.

Benson and McMiller beat Abbot/Smith of UNC-Asheville 8-6, but lost to Petovka/Camberos, 8-5, to move to the consolation bracket of the Flight B1 Doubles. They will take on Massey/Sjokist tomorrow at 11 a.m.

Jackson and Baker defeated McDonough/Wicks of High Point, 9-8, to move on to the next round. They will meet up with Bulldog Flescher and her partner Anna Cotton of Appalachian State in the next round of the Flight B2 Doubles. They beat Stocks/Jane of Western Carolina, 8-1, to get to the next round.

“Overall, going 9-4 in the first day of this tournament is truly amazing,” said Head Coach Terri Sisk. “It definitely shows that we have improved, even in the last week. It’s very exciting to see our girls so hungry and ready to win.”

The Bulldogs will start day two of the Wolfpack Invitational early in the morning with a doubles match featuring White and McKey.

*** SAMFORD BULLDOGS ***