Oct. 9, 2006
NACOGDOCHES, Texas - The Lamar University women's tennis team had an outstanding weekend at the Stephen F. Austin Invitational in Nacogdoches, Texas, winning five singles titles and all three doubles titles.
"I'm very proud of the way the ladies played this weekend," head coach David Wong said. "There were several conference schools participating in the tournament and we did a great job across the board."
Lamar captured the tile in all but singles fight one, which saw Kaltrina Harbuzi fall in the finals to Ashley Ellis of Texas State 7-5, 6-1. On her way to the finals, Harbuzi knocked out Gina Olivera of UT-Pan American 7-5, 4-6 (8) and Laura Harrison of SFA 6-0 6-5.
In flight two, Tanya Roberts walked away with the title, taking out Roxana Enica of SFA 6-3, 6-0. On the way to the finals she took down Kristina Collins of Centenary 6-1, 6-1 and Julia Surnie-Lima of UT-Pan Am 4-6, 6-4 (4).
Flight three was won by Pamela Martinez, who defeated Gabriela Gadeva of SFA 6-0 6-2 in the finals. Along the way, Martinez dispatched Kim Kennedy of Tyler Junior College 6-0, 6-0 and Sumarie Muller of Texas State 6-4, 7-6 (4).
Flight four was won by Maria Gutierrez, who won in the finals over Andrea Guraldo of Texas State 7-6 (5) 3-6 (12). Gutierrez also knocked out Rebecca McCullough of Central Arkansas 6-1, 6-0 and Austin Mills of Tyler Junior College 6-1, 6-1.
In flight five, Manijee Ashrafi won the title with a 6-0, 6-3 win over Mckenzie Farmer of Texas State. Along the way she defeated Kaycee Wood of TJC 6-1, 6-0 and Lindsey Short of Central Arkansas 6-0, 6-0.
The final singles title to be won by Lamar was captured by Manami Kuroda, who took down Petra Gudelj of McNeese State 6-4, 6-2. Kuroda also knocked off Rijalda Zejnik of SFA 2-6, 6-4 (7) and Kate Buchanan of Centenary 6-0, 6-0.
In doubles play the Lady Cardinals continued their solid play, beginning with the No. 1 doubles tandem of Roberts and Harbuzi, who captured their second straight doubles title. The duo combined to knock off SFA's Harrison and Enica 8-5 in the finals after defeating Chafite and Guraldo of Texas State 8-5 and Santos and Anders of TJC 8-3.
Flight two of doubles was won by Martinez and Ashrafi, who won the championship match 9-7 over Paine and Miller of Central Arkansas. Along the way, the tandem defeated Majchrowicz and Ezell of Centenary 8-0 and Lima and Willerding of UT-Pan American 8-0.
The final doubles championship was captured by Gutierrez and Kuroda, who knocked off Farmer and McLeod of Texas State 8-2. The duo also defeated Lucas and Short of Central Arkansas 8-2 and Jongeneel and Bihorac of McNeese 8-6.
The Lady Cards played the tournament without the services of usual No. 1 player, and reigning Southland Conference player of the year, Andrea Martine, who was nursing an injury.
"This was a very important tournament for us because it shows the ladies how much depth we have this year," Wong said. "Everybody moved up a spot and played higher than their usual position, but they stepped in and did great. It's a big confidence booster for them because now they know they can hold their own against some of the other teams in the conference."
The Lady Cards will be in action again at the end of the month when they take part in the University of Louisiana Lafayette Pepsi Challenge October 27th through the 30th.
