Alabama
TBD
Women's Tennis Continues to Roll Through Southern Regionals
10/22/2011 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
Oct. 22, 2011
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The women's tennis team had another solid day at the ITA/USTA Southern Regional Championships on Saturday as two of its doubles teams and three of its singles players remain alive in the main draws. The Crimson Tide has now won a combined 21 matches over the two days at the tournament, which is being held at the Pat M. Courington Tennis Pavilion on the campus of Samford University.
"We came out ready to play today across the board," said Alabama head coach Jenny Mainz. "I was impressed with our level of play in both singles and doubles. We're doing the right things, and it's paying dividends. We're cognizant of taking balls early on the rise and creating ways to earn control of the points."
In doubles, Alabama junior Alexa Guarachi and Mary Anne Macfarlane posted a pair of 8-4 wins, first against the Louisiana-Monroe team of Medy Blankvoort and Monica Winkel followed by Mississippi's Gabby Rangel and Erin Stephens. Seniors Courtney McLane and Taylor Lindsey also won a pair of matches to advance on in the main draw with an 8-4 win over Auburn's Plamena Kurteva and Paulina Schippers, and an 8-3 victory against Samford's Lindsey Mallory and Kristin Lewis. Also representing the Tide in doubles was junior Antonia Foehse and freshman Emily Zabor, who fell to the Tulane duo of Emma Levy and Mariam Kurdadze, 8-4.
In singles, four of Alabama's five players competing advanced on including Macfarlane, McLane, Guarachi and Zabor. Macfarlane completed her match in two sets, taking down LSU's Olivia Howlett, 6-3, 6-2, while Guarachi posted a 6-4, 6-1 win over Mississippi's Julia Jones in her round of 16 matchup. McLane had the most dominant win of the day with a 6-1, 6-1 decision over Levy, and Zabor came from behind to defeat Mississippi State's Petra Ferancova, 3-6, 6-3, 10-6.
"Alexa played a solid match today from beginning to end," Mainz said. "She was consistent with her efforts of playing authoritatively and dictating play. Courtney is playing some impressive tennis and is really taking the ball early and setting up points well with her serve. Emily bounced right back today and is going to continue to progress because she's committed to doing the right things and making necessary adjustments. Mary Anne found her stride today in singles and just needs to keep focusing on improving and implementing her game style."
Lindsey also competed in one singles match on Saturday, falling to LSU's Whitney Wolf, 2-6, 6-4, 6-0.
"Taylor lost a tough three-setter today but battled from the first point to the last point," added Mainz. "She has found ways to advance in this regional event despite struggling somewhat with her game. Overall, I am encouraged with the way our team is competing at this point in the season. We've made some positive gains and we're doing a good job of building on good days and good tournaments."
Matches will resume on Sunday at 9 a.m. CT.
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RESULTS
Doubles
Macfarlane/Guarachi (UA) def. Blankvoort/Winkel (ULM) 8-4
Macfarlane/Guarachi (UA) def. Rangel/Stephens (UM) 8-4
Kurdadze/Emma Levy (TU) def. Zabor/Foehse (UA) 8-4
McLane/Lindsey (UA) def. Kurteva/Schippers (AU) 8-4
McLane/Lindsey (UA) def. Mallory/Lewis (SAM) 8-3
Singles
Mary Anne Macfarlane (UA) def. Olivia Howlett (LSU) 6-3, 6-2
Whitney Wolf (LSU) def. Taylor Lindsey (UA) 2-6, 6-4, 6-0
Courtney McLane (UA) def. Emma Levy (TU) 6-1, 6-1
Alexa Guarachi (UA) def. Julia Jones (UM) 6-4, 6-1
Emily Zabor (UA) def. Petra Ferancova (MSU) 3-6, 6-3, 10-6
Players Mentioned
