The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
ITA South Regionals
UAB's Alvarez Posts Wins In Singles And Doubles Friday
10/23/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
Oct. 23, 2009
AUBURN, Ala. -- Paula Alvarez advanced out of the first round in both singles and doubles Friday as one of four UAB women's tennis players competing on day one at the ITA Southern Regional at Auburn.
The Blazers faced tough draws throughout the day, matching up with three seeded players in the singles draw.
Alvarez took down Heather Bybee of Auburn, 6-3, 6-2, to advance to the round of 32. She will play again Saturday in the main draw against No. 9 seed Connor Vogel from Ole Miss.
In more singles action, Evelien Strijker played two close sets before falling 6-4, 6-4 to top-seeded Fani Chifchieva from Auburn. Brittany DeFelice and Giorgia Romeo also suffered straight set losses to the No. 2 and No. 5 seeds, respectively, in the opening round of singles. All three UAB players will be back in action Saturday in the consolation bracket.
"We competed well today against some really tough players," UAB head coach Krissy Hall said. "We played some of the top seeded players in both singles and doubles and had some close results. I'm also happy for Paula that she advanced in the main draw."
In doubles action, Alvarez and Strijker opened the day with an 8-6 win over Tulane's tandem of Hila Elster and Elizabeth Hamlin before falling to Alabama's Courtney McLane and Alexa Guarachi, the tournament's No. 2 seed. UAB's other doubles team of Romeo and DeFelice lost in the first round.
Play will continue Saturday at 8:30 a.m. with main draw doubles, followed by consolation singles and main draw singles. Complete tournament draws are available at auburntigers.com, the official site of Auburn athletics.
Friday's Singles Results
Fani Chifchieva (Auburn) def. Evelien Strijker (UAB); 6-4, 6-4. Paula Alvarez (UAB) def. Heather Bybee (Auburn); 6-3, 6-2. Claire Clark (ULM) def. Brittany DeFelice (UAB); 6-2, 6-2. Kristi Boxx (Ole Miss) def. Giorgia Romeo (UAB); 6-2, 6-4.
Friday's Doubles Results
Lindsay Dvorak/Emma Helisten (Tulane) def. Giorgia Romeo/Brittany DeFelice (UAB); 8-1. Evelien Strijker/Paula Alvarez (UAB) def. Hila Elster/Elizabeth Hamlin (Tulane); 8-6. Courtney McLane/Alexa Guarachi (Alabama) def. Strijker/Alvarez (UAB); 8-4.
Players Mentioned
