PALM DESERT, Calif. – Paige Hourigan and Kenya Jones opened the Oracle ITA National Fall Championships in style on Wednesday, going undefeated in singles and doubles play. The Jackets return to the court on Thursday.
Hourigan got things started in singles play first, capturing a come-from-behind win over Marianna Petrei (Idaho). The senior fell down a break late in the first set against Petrei as the Idaho junior was able to serve out the first set, 6-4. But Hourigan evened the match, taking the second set 6-4 to force a deciding third set. The Jacket cruised in the third set, pulling away with a 4-1 lead and taking the match with a 6-1 third set win.
The No. 3 preseason ranked duo of Hourigan/Jones opened doubles play against Ohio State’s Shiori Fukuda/Maria Tyrina by taking the first set 6-2. The pair broke serve in the first game of the second set to take a 1-0 lead and cruised to a 3-1 advantage. Leading 4-2 in the final set, the Jackets broke serve to go up 5-2 and served out the match with a 6-2 win.
Thursday’s action will feature Hourigan facing the No. 2 preseason ranked Gabriela Talaba of Texas Tech in singles and the Tech pair taking on Oregon’s Shweta Sangwan/Alyssa Tobita.
GEORGIA TECH RESULTS AND SCHEDULE OF PLAY
Singles
No. 49 Paige Hourigan (GT) def. Marianna Petrei (Idaho) 4-6, 6-4, 6-1
Doubles
No. 3 Paige Hourigan/Kenya Jones (GT) def. Shiori Fukuda/Maria Tyrina (Ohio State) 6-2, 6-2
Thursday, November 2
Singles
No. 49 Paige Hourigan (GT) vs. No. 2 Gabriela Talaba (Texas Tech)
Doubles
No. 3 Paige Hourigan/Kenya Jones (GT) vs. Shweta Sangwan/Alyssa Tobita (Oregon)
