PACIFIC PALISADES, Calif. — LSU’s 11th-ranked Megan Falcon and Mykala Hedberg won their second round match but fell in the third round of the qualifying bracket of the Riviera/ITA All-American Championships on Wednesday.
Falcon and Hedberg defeated Georgia Tech’s 46th-ranked Christy Striplin and Noelle Hickey 8-4 in the second round early in the day, but the Lady Tiger tandem came up short against UCLA’s 36th-ranked Yasmin Schnack and Ashley Joelson 8-1.
Had they defeated the UCLA duo Falcon and Hedberg would have advanced to the main draw of the tournament.
“They played really well in the first match,” LSU head coach Tony Minnis said. “I have to give UCLA’s team credit in the second match, but at the same time we had an off match and didn’t play our best. We have to regroup and get ready for another opportunity.”
LSU’s stay at the All-American tournament is not over as 15th-ranked Falcon will compete for the third straight year in the singles main draw. Falcon, who is 4-0 on the season, will take on Cal’s seventh-ranked Marina Cossou in the first round at 3:45 p.m. CT on Thursday.
“It’s a great opportunity for her,” Minnis said. “Cossou is obviously a solid player, but this a great chance for Megan to knock off a top 10 player because she has been in this situation before.”
After losing in the first round of the main draw in both her sophomore and junior seasons Falcon rallied both times to win the consolation championship. Last season Falcon defeated three ranked opponents en route to the consolation title, and she knocked off four ranked foes as a sophomore.
2008 Riviera/ITA All-American Championships
October 1, 2008
Qualifying Doubles
Second Round
#11 Megan Falcon/Mykala Hedberg (LSU) def. #46 Christy Striplin/Noelle Hickey (GATECH) 8-4
Third Round
#36 Yasmin Schnack/Ashley Joelson (UCLA) def. #11 Megan Falcon/Mykala Hedberg (LSU) 8-1
Singles Main Draw
First Round
#15 Megan Falcon (LSU) vs. #7 Marina Cossou (CAL) 3:45 p.m. CT Thursday