Edwards Advances To Round Of 32 At ITA Regionals
10/20/2012 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
PALO ALTO, Calif. - Sophomore Katie Edwards won both her matches Friday for Gonzaga University women's tennis team and will play in the round of 32 at the 2012 Intercollegiate Tennis Association Regionals Saturday.
"I was very happy for Katie," head coach D.J. Gurule said. "She played very smart and kept to her game plan and it really paid off. She will have a tough match tomorrow against Kristie Ahn from Stanford, but she is playing so well I think anything can happen."
Edwards opened the tournament strong and took care of business against Erin Troedson from Washington State University 6-1, 6-3. She would follow that with a victory over Sofia Holmberg from the University of San Francisco 3-6, 6-1, 6-2.
Freshman Samantha Polayes was other Bulldog who won her opening match for the Zags. Polayes defeated Olivia Boija from Sacramento State University 6-2, 6-3. She would however fall in the round of 64 to Andjela Nemevic from the University of Washington 6-4, 6-2.
"Samantha is playing better and better each match," Gurule said. "It was great to see her do well so close to her hometown."
Rounding out the opening round was Sissi Koehler falling to Chau Truong from San Jose State University 6-2, 6-2 and Melanie Yates dropping to Alice Duranteau from the University of California 6-2, 6-2.
Both Prue Teitzel and Alexandra Tallas had opening round byes and both lost in the round of 64. Teitzel lost to Sophia Bott from Cal Poly 6-4, 6-4 and Tallas lost to Sophie Lohscheitdt from Santa Clara University 6-3, 6-4.
"I was very pleased with our effort today," Gurule said. "I really thought we played some of our best tennis of the year today."
The Zags had a very successful day in the doubles draw as well.
The duo of Polayes and Teitzel advanced to the round of 32 with a victory over USF's Melinda Akerbrant and Marina Nikolic 8-6. Also advancing was the duo of Edwards and Yates who beat Fresno State University's Melissa McQueen and Bianca Modoc.
"I was especially impressed with our doubles," Gurule said. "It definitely set the tone for the day. All and all I feel that we were very competitive in all our matches and hopefully we can keep it rolling tomorrow."
Play resumes Saturday.
