Oct. 8, 2005

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - Freshman Ekin Zafir had to beat a teammate to do it, but captured her first collegiate singles title with an 8-4 win over Flavia Russo in the consolation finals of the 5.0 singles draw at the University of Alabama/Roberta Alison Fall Classic, Saturday.

Zafir was one of three Lady Tigers appearing in a consolation final, as teammate Flavia Russo downed Georgia State's Lindsey Marsh, 6-3, 6-2, to advance to the finals. Junior teammate Alex Tjioe fell 6-1, 6-2 to Samford's Bethany Benson in the 4.5 singles consolation final.

A pair of Lady Tigers also advanced to the third place matches in their respective draws, coming up just short. Sophomore Brooke Cowie fell 6-3, 6-1 in her C singles third place match, while Christina Wieser fell 6-3, 6-1 in the 4.0 singles match.

Memphis returns home to host its fall tournament beginning on Oct. 14th.

B Singles Consolation
Daniela Juskova (Murray State) def. Andrea Feichtinger (UM), 4-0, inj.

C Singles
Jelena Krivacevic (South Alabama) def. Brooke Cowie (UM), 7-5, 6-4
Third Place Match -- Tapiwa Morobela (Florida State) def. Brooke Cowie (UM), 6-3, 6-1

3.0 Singles
Kim Wollett (Georgia Southern) def. Kristin Noble (UM), 6-4, 6-2

4.0 Singles
Whitney Ebor (Florida State) def. Christina Wieser (UM), 6-2, 6-2
Third Place Match -- Kayla Berry (Iowa) def. Christina Wieser (UM), 6-3, 6-1

4.5 Singles
Consolation Semifinals -- Alex Tjioe (UM) def. Elodie Burlet (ULM), 7-5, 6-2
Consolation Championship -- Bethany Benson (Samford) def. Alex Tjioe (UM), 6-1, 6-2

5.0 Singles
Consolation Semifinals -- Ekin Zafir (UM) def. Rachel Dunlavy (AUM), 2-6, 6-4, 10-3
Consolation Semifinals -- Flavia Russo (UM) def. Lindsey Marsh (Georgia State), 6-3, 6-2
Consolation Championship -- Ekin Zafir (UM) def. Flavia Russo (UM), 8-4

C Doubles
Semifinals -- Merel Beelen/Krissy Downlin (Iowa) def. Brooke Cowie/Ekin Zafir, 8-2