Oct. 9, 2006
DALLAS (SMU) - The SMU women's tennis team took to the road this past weekend to Houston, Texas, to participate in the Rice Tennis Classic at the Jake Hess Tennis Stadium. Three Mustangs went and participated in varies single and doubles flights.
"I'm really proud of the how the girls played this weekend," said interim head coach Lauren Longbotham. "With this being Jen's (Chay) first tournament, she was anxious and excited to get on the court and I think she did a great job. Natalia (Bubien) played some tough matches and handled herself well. Georgiana (Marta) came away with a first-place win and that was great for her. She got the chance to see what she needs to improve and what we need to do to get ready for the spring."
Natalia Bubien was in the Blue Singles. In the round of 16, she defeated Melanie Brown of PVAMU, 3-0, def. to advance to face Tiffany Lee of Rice in the quarterfinals. After falling in the first set, Bubien battled back to win, 3-6, 6-4, def. In the semifinals, she took on Amanda McDowell of Georgia Tech. Bubien put up a tough fight, but it was not enough to get past McDowell as she fell, 6-3, 6-4.
Jennifer Chay competed in the Gray Singles where she faced Shivani Dave of Indiana in the round of 16. The two battled through the first set as Dave edged Chay, 7-6 (1), 6-2. In the Consolation bracket, Chay faced Tanya Hasking of UTSA in the quarterfinals and took the, 6-4, 6-4, win. She took care of Melissa Guerrier from PVAMU in the semifinal rounds, 6-2, 6-2. In the consolation finals, Chay was slated to take on Kristina Minor of Indiana. Chay fought for the, 7-5, 7-5, win, taking the consolation bracket win.
Georgiana Marta played four rounds in the White Singles. She defeated Holly Phillips of UTSA, 6-3, 6-0, in the first round and then stomped Bianca Simpson of PVAMU, 6-2, 6-2. She took a hard, fought win from Jennifer Pan in round three, 6-3, 7-6 (3). In the fourth round, Marta fell to Sagastegui of Rice in the first set, but then climbed back for the 4-6, 7-5, 6-2, win.
In doubles action, Chay and Marta paired for a 2-2 record over the weekend. The duo first smashed Brown and Guerrier of PVAMU, 8-0, and then fell to McCray and Craddock of Georgia Tech, 8-0. The pair could not get past Mihaulova and Chmelarova of Baylor as they fell, 8-2, but the tandem went on to defeat Dao and Braid of Rice, 8-2.
The Mustangs will hit the courts again Oct. 19-23 at the ITA Southwest Regional in Ft. Worth, Texas. "I'm excited about our opportunities going into the ITA Regionals and look forward to a great week of practice leading up to the Championships," Longbotham noted. "These girls have worked hard all fall and are ready to compete."
Rice Tennis Classic Results
Oct. 6-8, 2006 at Jake Hess Tennis Stadium, Houston, Texas
Blue Singles
Round of 16
Natalia Bubien def. Melanie Brown (PVAMU), 3-0, def.
Quarterfinals
Natalia Bubien def. Tiffany Lee (Rice), 3-6, 6-4, def.
Semifinals
Amanda McDowell (GT) def. Natalia Bubien, 6-3, 6-4
Gray Singles
Round of 16
Shivani Dave (UI) def. Jennifer Chay, 7-6 (1), 6-2
Consolation Quarterfinals
Jennifer Chay def. Tanya Hasking (UTSA), 6-4, 6-4
Consolation Semifinals
Jennifer Chay def. Melissa Guerrier (PVAMU), 6-2, 6-2
Consolation Finals
Jennifer Chay def. Kristina Minor (UI), 7-5, 7-5
White Singes
Round 1
Georgiana Marta def. Holly Phillips (UTSA), 6-3, 6-0
Round 2
Georgiana Marta def. Bianca Simpson (PVAMU), 6-2, 6-2
Round 3
Georgiana Marta def. Jennifer Pan (Rice), 6-3, 7-6 (3)
Round 4
Georgiana Marta def. V. Sagastegui (Rice), 4-6, 7-5, 6-2
Blue Doubles
Jennifer Chay/Georgiana Marta def. Brown/Guerrier (PVAMU), 8-0
McCray/Craddock (GT) def. Chay/Marta, 8-0
Mihaylova/Chmelarova (BU) def. Chay/Marta, 8-2
Chay/Marta def. Dao/Braid (Rice), 8-2
