PACIFIC PALISADES, Calif. — Joana Vale Costa is set for the opening round of the ITA All-American main draw Thursday at the Riviera Tennis club in Pacific Palisades, California.
Vale Costa will face off against No. 29 Ellen Perez of Georgia to start the main draw. Perez finished last season ranked 5th in doubles and was named an All-American. Vale Costa is coming off of a successful tournament at the Charleston 25K. The Lady Tiger earned victories over Lauren Herring and Virginia Tech’s Francesca Fusinato
“I think Joana is really looking forward to competing tomorrow,” co-head coach Julia Sell said. “She is coming off of a great week in Charleston and she is excited to be in the main draw of this event. Every player in this draw is good so every match will be played at a very high level.”
Senior Skylar Kuykendall‘s run in the ITA All-American qualifying ended today with a 6-2, 6-3 loss to Pepperdine’s Luisa Stefani. Kuykendall finished the qualifier with two wins under her belt. The Jasper, Alabama native earned three-set thrillers over Ohio State’s Gabriella De Santis and Baylor’s Kiah Generett.
“I thought Skylar’s intensity and focus were right on point today but she just needs to execute better. This has been a great experience and will help her tremendously throughout the rest of the fall and spring,” Sell added.
Results of the ITA All-American will be available online on Twitter @lsuwten and @LSUJuliaSell, on Instagram @LSUWTen and on www.Facebook.com/lsuwten.