Michigan State University
ITA Midwest Regional Championships
Women's Tennis Completes First Day of ITA's
10/22/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
Oct. 22, 2009
EVANSTON, Ill. -
The Michigan State women's tennis team concluded the first day of singles qualifying action Thursday, Oct. 22, at the ITA Midwest Regional, hosted by Northwestern University. Freshman Amy Barton (Brisbane, Australia) and junior Whitney Wilson will (Evansville, Ind.) continue play in singles action.
"We are definitely taking a lot of positives out of today," said assistant coach Shelley Godwin. "The girls have been working hard and the pay-off is encouraging, and a great confidence booster for them."
Barton received a bye in the first round to guarantee her advancement into round two, where she defeated Western Michigan's Yumi Matsuto, 7-6, 6-2. She will compete against Kelly Barry of Marquette tomorrow morning in the third round of qualifying play.
Whitney Wilson took Toledo's Ashley Frey into a three-set match where she picked up the victory, 6-3, 4-6, 6-2. She then picked up the win over Christina Ruiz of Marquette, 6-3, 7-6, 6-1, to continue on for the Spartans where she will take on Xu Chang of Eastern tomorrow morning.
Sophomore Elena Ivanova (Moscow, Russia) began the day out strong outlasting Gretchen Cloern of Youngstown State, 1-6, 6-1, 7-6(4). She fell to Brianna Smutko of Illinois, 6-3, 6-1, to end her chance at advancing to the main draw.
Both freshman Nicole Herzog (Manillia, Brazil) and senior Christine Milliken (Traverse City, Mich.) fell to their opponents in the first round of qualifying action.
Singles action will resume tomorrow at 9 a.m. with doubles play set to begin at 2 p.m. The doubles pairing of Barton and Wilson will play McKnight and Milinkovic of DePaul and the tandem of Ivanova and Herzog will take on Volkova and Welch of Youngstown State.
For updates at the conclusion of each day, please visit msuspartans.com.
Players Mentioned
