LSU Gold

Falcon Breezes Through NCAA Singles First Round

by LSUsports.net (@LSUsports)
NCAA Women's Singles Draw (.pdf) +0
Falcon Breezes Through NCAA Singles First Round

ATHENS, Ga. — Sophomore Megan Falcon of the LSU women’s tennis team breezed past her first round opponent Renata Kucerko of Fresno State,  6-1, 6-3, to advance to the second round.

Second-seeded Falcon was in control throughout her match and will now face No. 30-ranked Catrina Thompson of Notre Dame in the round of 32.

The victory pushes Falcon’s win streak to 25 and improves her overall record to an outstanding 35-2.

“I wanted to start strong and I felt I played really solid today,” Falcon said. “My goal was not to give away many free points.”

In the first set, Falcon held a 2-0 advantage when Kucerko captured the third game. Falcon dominated the rest of the set, winning by a 6-1 decision.

Kucerko gave Falcon more of a challenge in the second set. Kucerko took the first game before Falcon took two-straight games to get the advantage. Falcon only allowed Kucerko two more games as she went to win the set, 6-3, and the match.

The sophomore sensation has defeated 23 ranked opponents this season.

Head coach Tony Minnis was impressed with his young star’s debut in the singles tournament.

“She played really well because anybody you play in this tournament is good,” Minnis commented. “She came out with a very business-like performance. I know she might have been a little jittery because it was her first match but I am glad that she got off to good start.”

Along with her second round singles match, Falcon will compete with partner Hannah Robinson in the doubles portion late Thursday afternoon.

NCAA Women’s Tennis Singles Championship
May 23, 2007
Round of 64
(2) #2 Megan Falcon (LSU) def. #54 Renata Kucerkova (Fresno St.), 6-1, 6-3

Round of 32
May 24, 2007

(2) #2 Megan Falcon (LSU; 35-2 overall) vs. #30 Catrina Thompson (Notre Dame; 26-10 overall), 10:30 a.m.

NCAA Women’s Tennis Doubles Championship
May 24, 2007
Round of 32
#30 Megan Falcon/Hannah Robinson (LSU; 14-5 overall; 6-4 dual) vs. #59 Maria Anisimova/Kate Kosminskaya (Penn; 8-3 overall), 5 p.m.

NCAA Tournament seed in parenthesis before name
# – indicates ITA national ranking entering tournament