Oct. 16, 2011

10/16/11 ITA Ohio Valley Regional Updated Draws and Results

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Three Lady Tigers played their way into the quarterfinals of the main singles draw in the 2011 USTA/ITA Ohio Valley Regional. This is the first time in program history three Memphis netters have advanced this far in a regional tournament.

No. 3 seed Courtney Collins sailed through the round of 32 with a 6-0, 6-0 victory over Daniela Vidal (Purdue) before the junior trumped No. 13 seed Marie Casares (Vanderbilt) 6-4, 6-4 in the round of 16.

Senior and No. 8 seed Mariya Slupska powered past Jessica Albuquerque (EKU) -1, 6-3 in her first match on Sunday. In the round of 16, Slupska defeated ninth-seeded Julia Fellerhoff (Louisville) 6-2, 7-6 (3) to propel her to a Monday quarterfinal match.

Sophomore Stefanie Mikesz was the third Memphis netter to advance to Monday play with a round of 16 win over Dushkina (Purdue), 6-4, 6-2, followed by a 6-3, 7-6 (2) victory against Lauren Mira (Vanderbilt) in her second match of the day.

There have been time changes to Monday's schedule, which can be found in the updated draws, and all three Lady Tigers will play again at 1 p.m. on Monday. All matches will be in the Stadium at The Racquet Club of Memphis.

In the back singles draw, junior Kelly Gray will play in one of the semifinal matches on Monday. Gray topped Mandy Brown (Louisville) in a third set super tiebreaker to start the day, 6-1, 3-6, 10-5, then won by default against UTC opponent, before defeating Johanie Van Zyl (UTM) 6-4, 6-2. Gray's semifinal match will take place at approximately 10:30 a.m. on Monday.

In doubles action, Memphis' Alyssa Hibberd partnered with Tiffany Welcher to down Mira and Jackie Wu (Vanderbilt) 9-7 in the quarterfinals and the Blue and Gray compete in the semifinals of the main draw against a Kentucky tandem at 10 a.m.

The duo of Collins and Gray knocked off a Miami (OH) pair, 8-5, in the quarterfinals of the back doubles draw and advanced to the finals with a walkover by their Purdue opponents in the semifinals. The Memphis tandem is slated to take the court at 8 a.m. CT.