TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The LSU Women’s Tennis team put on a strong showing at the first day of the ITA Southern Regional Tournament in Tuscaloosa, Ala. on Friday as five singles players qualified for the round of 32 and two doubles teams advanced to the round of 16.
On the doubles side, the Lady Tiger duo of junior Ella Taylor and sophomore Skylar Holloway defeated the 12th seeded Tulane team of junior Ipek Birol and senior Nicky Stracar 8-6 to secure their place in the round of 16. Senior Noel Scott and junior Skylar Kuykendall also qualified for round of 16 play.
Sophomores Abigail Owens, Skylar Holloway, Joana Vale Costa and juniors Kuykendall and Ella Taylor all advanced to the round of 32.
“I thought we had a really productive day. We have five singles players in the round of 32 which speaks very highly to the team’s effort,” head coach Julia Sell said. “I have to highlight Abby Owens for her effort today. She played four matches at an extremely high intensity today and picked up some good wins.”
Singles play opens again on Saturday as the Lady Tigers hope to carry the strong momentum into day two in Tuscaloosa.
2014 USTA/ITA Southern Regional Championships
Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Oct. 10 – 13
Singles A Draw
Round of 128
Abby Owens (LSU) def. Vanessa Nommensen (TUL), 6-3, 6-4
Skylar Holloway (LSU) def. Catherine Ragon (UAB), 6-0, 7-5
Ella Taylor (LSU) FIRST ROUND BYE
Joana Vale Costa (LSU) FIRST ROUND BYE
Skylar Kuykendall (LSU) FIRST ROUND BYE
Noel Scott (LSU) FIRST ROUND BYE
Round of 64
Abby Owens (LSU) def. Zalina Khairdinova (UM), 7-6, 6-3
Tatiana Larina (NWS) def. Noel Scott (LSU), 6-2, 5-7, 7-6(5)
Skylar Holloway (LSU) def. Yasmeen Ebada (SAM), 2-6, 6-3, 6-3
Skylar Kuykendall (LSU) def. Carmen Blanco (UA), 6-3, 6-3
Joana Vale Costa (LSU) def. Jennifer Pfeifler (AU), 6-1, 6-2
Ella Taylor (LSU) def. Iris Verboven (UM), 6-0, 6-1
Singles B Draw
Round of 32
Amanda Atanasson (LSU) FIRST ROUND BYE
Madara Straume (LSU) FIRST ROUND BYE
Doubles A Draw
Round of 64
Taylor/Holloway (LSU) def. Guibe/Brown (MSU), 8-6
Kuykendall/Owens (LSU) def. Angermann/Ananth (JSU), 8-1
Scott/Vale Costa (LSU) FIRST ROUND BYE
Round of 32
Taylor/Holloway (LSU) def. Birol/Stracer (TUL), 8-1
Scott/Vale Costa (LSU) def. Faught/Baccarini (UAB), 8-1
Larina/Krutova (NWS) def. Kuykendall/Owens (LSU), 8-7(4)