Nov. 4, 2012
THE FLATS – The Georgia Tech women’s tennis team won nine matches at the Midwest Blast at the Atkins Tennis Center on the University of Illinois campus.
The Yellow Jackets won three of four singles matches against the host Illini on Friday and three of four singles matches against Wake Forest on Sunday.
“This weekend was a really good weekend for us,” head coach Rodney Harmon said. “It was the first time we had a chance to play indoors as we’re building a new facility on campus. We played some teams that have spent a significant amount of time indoors so the first two days were pretty difficult for us. However, we rebounded and had a great last day. Heading forward, our big matches are indoors until the end of February. It was great practice indoors. We’re want to build on that and looking forward to the rest of the indoor season.”
Tech faced Illinois in singles Friday night and defeated the home team in three of the four matches. Freshman Kendal Woodard topped Misia Kedzierski, 6-2, 6-4, while classmate Natasha Prokhnevska beat Julia Jamieson, 6-4, 7-5. Freshman Megan Kurey rallied to her fourth win of the fall with a 3-6, 6-2, 6-4, victory over Breanne Smutko.
Kurey and Woodard added an 8-6 doubles victory over Illinois’ Kedzierski and Jamieson Saturday morning. Sophomore Jasmine Minor picked up her fourth singles win of the fall when she downed Purdue’s Gisella Pere, 6-4, 7-6, Saturday afternoon.
The Yellow Jackets wrapped up the weekend in impressive fashion, taking three of four matches from the Wake Forest Demon Deacons Sunday morning.
Senior Elizabeth Kilborn, ranked No. 94, defeated Andrea Retolaza Andrade, 7-5, 6-4. Kurey added her second win of the weekend with a 7-5, 6-1, victory over Xue Zhang. Minor added another W with a 6-2, 6-4 win over Brigita Bercyte. Prokhnevska finished her weekend with a 6-2, 6-3 defeat of Claudia Escribens of Purdue Sunday.
“This fall has been great,” Harmon added. “Our players worked hard and got better. We have a young team so it’s been important for us to get out and play as much as we can, that’s what we’ve tried to do this fall. Part of the reason we came to Illinois was to play some veteran and seasoned teams.”
Georgia Tech will open the 2013 spring season and the Ken Byers Tennis Complex against Syracuse on Thursday, Jan. 17.
Fans are encouraged to follow Georgia Tech women’s tennis on Twitter, @GT_WTEN, and like the Yellow Jackets on Facebook, GTWomensTennis, for an inside look at the program.
Doubles:
Friday
Daniela Vidal / Lynda Xepoleas (PUR) def. Elizabeth Kilborn / Kendal Woodard (GT), 8-3
Tess Bernard-Feigenbaum / Imogen Golder (PUR) def. Megan Kurey / Jasmine Minor (GT), 8-1
Karen Forman / Xue Zhang (WF) def. Elizabeth Kilborn / Kendal Woodard (GT), 9-8(5)
Brigita Bercyte / Andrea Retolaza Andrade (WF) def. Megan Kurey / Jasmine Minor (GT), 8-4
Saturday
Breanne Smutko / Audrey O’Connor (ILL) def. Elizabeth Kilborn / Jasmine Minor (GT), 8-5
Megan Kurey / Kendal Woodard (GT) def. Misia Kedzierski / Julia Jamieson (ILL), 8-6
Singles:
Friday
No. 82 Allison Falkin (ILL) def. No. 94 Elizabeth Kilborn (GT) 6-4, 6-2
Kendal Woodard (GT) def. Misia Kedzierski (ILL) 6-2, 6-4
Megan Kurey (GT) def. Breanne Smutko (ILL) 3-6, 6-2, 6-4
Natasha Prokhnevska (GT) def. Julia Jamieson (ILL) 6-4, 7-5
Claudia Escribens (PUR) def. Jasmine Minor (GT), 2-6, 7-5, 6-4
Saturday
No. 121 Lynda Xepoleas (PUR) def. No. 94 Elizabeth Kilborn (GT) 6-1, 6-4
Daniela Vidal (PUR) def. Kendal Woodard (GT) 6-0, 2-6, 6-1
Tess Bernard-Feigenbaum (PUR) def. Megan Kurey (GT) 7-5, 6-3
Imogen Golder (PUR) def. Natasha Prokhnevska (GT) 7-5, 1-6, 7-5
Jasmine Minor (GT) def. Gisella Pere (PUR) 6-4, 7-6
Sunday
No. 94 Elizabeth Kilborn (GT) def. Andrea Retolaza Andrade (WF) 7-5, 6-4
Karen Forman (WF) def. Kendal Woodard (GT) 6-3, 6-2
Megan Kurey (GT) def. Xue Zhang (WF) 7-5, 6-1
Jasmine Minor (GT) def. Brigita Bercyte (WF) 6-2, 6-4
Natasha Prokhnevska (GT) def. Claudia Escribens (PUR) 6-2, 6-3
–RamblinWreck.com–
