Tuesday, 10/27/2009

Crimson Tide duo to take on ninth-ranked Mississippi team

 

AUBURN, Ala. – Alabama women’s tennis sophomore Courtney McLane and freshman Alexa Guarachi, currently ranked No. 43 in the nation, will play in the doubles finals of the 2009 Wilson/ITA Southern Regional Championships on Monday. The Crimson Tide tandem advanced to the final match with an 8-3 win Sunday over Mississippi junior Connor Vogel and sophomore Gabriela Rangel.

 

"Courtney and Alexa played well today,” said head coach Jenny Mainz. “They executed the fundamentals well and got off to a great start. They are playing very convincing doubles and have improved with each match. They continue to demonstrate their charisma."

 

McLane also competed in singles on Sunday defeating LSU sophomore Whitney Wolf in the main draw quarterfinals with a 6-0, 6-3 win. The Tide netter’s singles run, however, was ended in the semifinals where, despite a hard-fought 7-6(9) win in the first set, was taken down 6-4, 6-1 in the final two frames by Mississippi sophomore Kristi Boxx, who is ranked No. 25 in the nation.

 

"Courtney played very authoritatively today against Wolf,” explained Mainz. “She displayed much confidence and did a nice job of taking care of business. In the semifinals, Courtney played an impressive match against Boxx but came up short. It was high-quality tennis for three sets. Courtney had chances and played a very physical match. I feel she gained much from this match and is playing more decisive tennis."

 

McLane and Guarachi will take on another Rebel pair for the tournament title in the Championship’s overall No. 1 seed and ninth-ranked team of junior Karen Njissen and Boxx beginning Monday at 10:00 a.m. (CST).

 

"Courtney and Alexa need to get into the match early tomorrow and play imposing tennis,” added Mainz. “It should be an exciting final as Boxx and Njissen are a solid and capable team."

 

RESULTS

Doubles

Semifinals

McLane/Guarachi (UA) def. Vogel/Rangel (UM) 8-3

 

Singles

Quarterfinals

No. 61 Courtney McLane (UA) Whitney Wolf (LSU) 6-0, 6-3

Semifinals

No. 25 Kristi Boxx (UM) def. No. 61 Courtney McLane (UA) 6-7(9), 6-4, 6-1

 

--UA--