TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Ryann Foster‘s run of outstanding form continued in the ITA Southern Regional at the Alabama Tennis Stadium with her victory over Tulane’s Naz Karagoz Friday.
Foster’s dominant run through the All-American Championships last week carried over to the regional tournament where, after a first-round bye, she defeated Karagoz in three sets, winning both of her sets by a score of 6-1.
“What’s always impressive about Ryann is that she continues to stay focused and diligent with how she treats each day of training and that is showing in her level of play,” said co-head coach Julia Sell. “She worked very hard this summer on her fitness and came back a step faster and we continue to see her grow as a player each day.”
In her first match of the day, freshman Becca Weissmann defeated Iryna Vardanian of Northwestern State, advancing to the round of 32 where she fell in a close match to Mississippi State’s Lisa Marie Rioux.
Seniors Skylar Holloway and Abby Owens dropped their opening matches in singles competition before Holloway rebounded with a victory over UAB’s Marlene Herrmann.
“After a difficult start to the day, I thought we really bounced back and played much better in the second round of matches,” said Sell.
In the second round of doubles play, Holloway and Foster will face Alabama’s pairing of Smith Hinton and Danielle Spielmann while Weissmann and Joana Valle Costa will take on Caroline Turner and Georgie Axon of Auburn.
After Saturday’s conclusion of doubles competition, the third round of singles play will begin. Foster will look to advance to the quarterfinals against No. 84 Madison Harrison of Mississippi State.
For more information on the LSU women’s tennis program follow the Lady Tigers on Twitter @lsuwten and @LSUJuliaSell, on Instagram @LSUWTen and on www.Facebook.com/lsuwten.
ITA Southern Regional (Day 1) Friday, Oct. 14
Singles
Round of 64
Zalina Khairudinova (Ole Miss) def. #107 Abby Owens (LSU) 6-1, 6-1
Christina Sisti (Tulane) def. Skylar Holloway (LSU) 6-0, 6-4
Becca Weissmann (LSU) def. Iryna Vardanian (NW St.) 6-4, 6-4
Round of 32
Ryann Foster (LSU) def. Naz Karagoz (Tulane) 6-1, 0-6, 6-1
Lisa Marie Rioux (Miss St.) def. Becca Weissmann (LSU) 6-3, 6-3
Consolation Round
Skylar Holloway (LSU) def. Marlene Herrmann (UAB) 6-2, 6-2
Polina Ivanova (NW St.) def. #107 Abby Owens (LSU) 6-2, 6-0
ITA Southern Regional (Day 2) Saturday, Oct. 15
Singles
Round of 16
Ryann Foster (LSU) vs. #84 Madison Harrison (Miss St.)
Consolation Round
Skylar Holloway (LSU) vs. Nancy Karaky (Troy)
Doubles
Ryann Foster/Skylar Holloway (LSU) vs. Smith Hinton/Danielle Spielmann (Alabama) at 9:00 a.m. CT
Joana Valle Costa/Becca Weissmann (LSU) vs. Caroline Turner/Georgie Axon (Auburn) at 9:00 a.m. CT