PACIFIC PALISADES, Calif. — Megan Falcon and Hannah Robinson of the LSU women’s tennis team are set to compete at the Riviera/ITA All-American Championships presented by Fila on Thursday.
Falcon, the nation’s top-ranked singles player, will take on No. 20 Amanda Taylor of Vanderbilt tomorrow. Falcon and Robinson are ranked No. 13 in the country in doubles and will compete against 22nd-ranked Melissa Mang and Tory Zawacki of Duke.
“This is a good opportunity to compete at a high level against some of the best players in the country,” head coach Tony Minnis said. “We just need to play loose and relaxed and stay focused on doing the right things on the court.”
Falcon, a junior from Alameda, Calif., played as a qualifier at the All-American Championships in 2006 and won the consolation singles title in the main draw. Falcon’s only loss in the tournament last season was to Melanie Gloria of Fresno State, who is currently ranked No. 3 in the nation.
On her road to the consolation championship a year ago, Falcon defeated nine ranked opponents to claim the title. At the time she won the title Falcon was unranked.
Carrying that momentum from the All-American Championships, Falcon finished last season ranked No. 2 nationally with an impressive 38-3 record including a perfect 11-0 record in SEC play. Falcon finished 26-3 on the season against ranked opponents and advanced all the way to the semifinals of the NCAA Singles Tournament, a first in the history of the program.
The 2007 All-American Championships marks the first action of the fall season for Falcon, who has rested after a long summer in which she competed in various tournaments, including the Pan American Games in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil.
“Hannah and I are excited to be here,” Falcon said. “We are looking forward to playing tomorrow. It’s a good opportunity to get some good match play in singles and doubles.”
Falcon teams up with Robinson in doubles for the second year in a row. Last season the duo led the team in wins with 14 and advanced to the first round of the NCAA Doubles Tournament. They finished the season ranked No. 35 in the country.
The tournament will run through Sunday at the Riviera Tennis Club which has hosted the All-American Championships since 1988.
Riviera/ITA All-American Championships presented by Fila
Day 1 Schedule
October 4
Singles
No. 1 Megan Falcon (LSU) vs. No. 20 Amanda Taylor (Vanderbilt), TBD
Doubles
No. 13 Megan Falcon/Hannah Robinson (LSU) vs. No. 22 Melissa Mang/Tory Zawacki (Duke), TBD