Univ. of Southern California Team Page
The USC tennis team is prepping for greatness this season, and some hefty early-season action is on tap this week. The Women of Troy will do individual battle at the Riviera/ITA All-American Championships in Pacific Palisades, Calif., with qualifying competition starting Oct. 2 and main draw play running Oct. 4-7.
Lone solider Gabriella DeSimone locked herself into the qualifying draw with an impressive effort in prequalifying over the weekend in Westwood. DeSimone tacked up three wins to secure a spot in singles qualifying along with teammate Kaitlyn Christian. DeSimone made a statement in prequalifying with a three-set comeback win over Louisville's Julia Fellerhoff with a 6-7(4), 6-3, 6-4 decision. Another impressive three-set comeback would follow as DeSimone topped Michaela Bezdickova of New Mexico, 1-6, 6-1, 6-2. The launcher for DeSimone into the qualifying draw was a smooth 6-2, 6-2 win over Florida State's Daneika Borthwick.
DeSimone will also team up with Zoë Scandalis in qualifying doubles, and Valeria Pulido and Danielle Lao will also compete in the qualifying doubles draw. In qualifying singles, Desimone and Kaitlyn Christian are both now tagged for duty as the Trojans vie for spots in the main draw.
Main draw competition has three Women of Troy lined up in singles, while top-ranked doubles pair of Kaitlyn Christian and Sabrina Santamaria are the team to beat on the doubles side. In singles, USC's three top-12 Trojans are already in the mix, with #7 Zoë Scandalis, #8 Sabrina Santamaria and #11 Danielle Lao on duty.
Follow along at http://www.itatennis.com/Events/ITANationalChampionships/WomensAllAmerican.htm
Riviera/ITA Women's All-American Championships (Pacific Palisades, Calif.)
PREQUALIFYING SINGLES (Westwood, Calif.)
First Round - Sept. 29
Gabriella DeSimone (USC) def. Julia Fellerhoff (Louisville) -- 6-7(4), 6-3, 6-4
Second Round - Sept. 29
Gabriella DeSimone (USC) def. Michaela Bezdickova (New Mexico) -- 1-6, 6-1, 6-2
Third Round - Sept. 30
Gabriella DeSimone (USC) def. Daneika Borthwick (Florida State) -- 6-2, 6-2
QUALIFYING SINGLES (Riviera Tennis Club)
First Round - Oct. 2
Gabriella DeSimone (USC) vs. [12] Maho Kowase (UGA) -- 10:45 a.m.
Kaitlyn Christian (USC) vs. Nives Pavlovic (UNLV) -- 12:30 p.m.
QUALIFYING DOUBLES (Riviera Tennis Club)
First Round - Oct. 2
DeSimone/Scandalis (USC) vs. Jones/Stephens (OLE) -- 9 a.m.
Lao/Pulido (USC) vs. [7] Bonacic/Niedermayerova (KSt) -- 9 a.m.