CARY, N.C. – Georgia Tech women’s tennis continued action at the College Ranked Spotlight on Friday, playing the first two sessions of singles at the Cary Tennis Park.
Friday morning got started with all four Yellow Jackets taking the courts for singles play. The first session was highlighted by Kylie Bilchev, who grabbed a straight-set victory against Oklahoma’s Alina Shcherbinina. Bilchev jumped out with a 3-0 lead in the first set, but Shcherbinina rallied back before the Jacket took the set 6-4. In a competitive second set, Bilchev secured the victory with a 6-4 triumph. Seeking a spot in the quarterfinals, Bilchev faced Mia Kupres of Texas A&M in the afternoon. Bilchev challenged Kupres, but ultimately dropped a 6-4, 6-0 decision.
Carol Lee faced Lily Jones of Michigan in her opening match, overcoming four match points, but ultimately dropping a three-set battle. Jones took the first set, 6-0, and broke early in the second set before Lee moved back on serve at 3-all. Jones had a chance to serve out the match at 5-4, but Lee fought off a match point and broke the Wolverine for a 5-all tally. The Jacket won the next two games to take the set, 7-5. Jones went up a break early in the deciding set, and held the lead for a 6-4 decision despite Lee erasing two matches points in the final game. Lee looked to rebound in the afternoon, but could not find a victory against South Carolina’s Sarah Hamner, falling, 6-1, 6-3.
Mahak Jain faced a pair of top 40 opponents on the first day of singles action. Jain saw the top-seeded and No. 2 player in the country, Mary Stoiana (Texas A&M) in the first session, falling 6-1, 6-0, before meeting No. 36 Emma Jackson of Duke in the afternoon. In the second half of the day, Jain collected her first singles win of the tournament, downing Jackson in straight-sets, 6-4, 6-4.
Rounding out the opening session, Alejandra Cruz met Antonia Balzert of Miami. After dropping the first set, 6-3, Cruz had a chance to serve out the second set, leading, 5-4, but Balzert battled back to take the next two games and grab a 6-5 advantage. The Hurricane took the set, 7-5, to seal the match as Cruz sought a victory in the backdraw in the afternoon against Marianna Argyrokastriti (Arizona State). Argyrokastriti took the match, 6-2, 6-2.
The Jackets are back in action on Saturday with another two sessions of singles play.
RESULTS
Friday, Sept. 22
A-1 Singles Draw
No. 2 Mary Stoiana (Texas A&M) def. No. 81 Mahak Jain (GT) 6-1, 6-0
No. 80 Lily Jones (Michigan) def. No. 9 Carol Lee (GT) 6-0, 5-7, 6-4
No. 42 Kylie Bilchev (GT) def. No. 79 Alina Shcherbinina (Oklahoma) – 6-4, 6-4
No. 81 Mahak Jain (GT) def. No. 36 Emma Jackson (Duke) 6-4, 6-4
No. 25 Sarah Hamner (South Carolina) def. No. 9 Carol Lee (GT) 6-1, 6-3
No. 56 Mia Kupres (Texas A&M) def. No. 42 Kylie Bilchev (GT) 6-4, 6-0
A-2 Singles Draw
Antonia Balzert (Miami) def. No. 87 Alejandra Cruz (GT) 6-3, 7-5
Marianna Argyrokastriti (ASU) def. No. 87 Alejandra Cruz (GT) 6-2, 6-2
SCHEDULE
Saturday, Sept. 23
A-1 Singles Draw
No. 81 Mahak Jain (GT) vs. No. 32 Florencia Urrutia (Oklahoma) – 9 a.m.
No. 42 Kylie Bilchev (GT) vs. No. 24 Kari Miller (Michigan) – NB 10:30 a.m.
No. 9 Carol Lee (GT) vs. No. 52 Isabella Pfennig (Miami) – NB 10:30 a.m.
A-2 Singles Draw
No. 87 Alejandra Cruz (GT) vs. Teah Chavez (Ohio State) – NB 12 p.m.
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