Pepperdine Team Page

PACIFIC PALISADES, Calif. – Although Ale Granillo and Khunpak Issara of the Pepperdine women’s tennis team did not reach the main draw of the Riviera/ITA All-American Championships, they did add some impressive victories to their win column to start out the 2012-13 season.

Issara (Bangkok, Thailand/Bangkok Patana School) got off to a shaky start but rebounded in the consolation round with a pair of victories.

First, the senior downed Virginia’s Erin Vierra, 6-4, 6-2, before defeating Liudimila Vasilieva of Washington State, 6-2, 6-3. Both opponents are listed in the ITA preseason singles rankings: Vierra at #103 and Vasilieva at #33. Issara currently sits at #39 in the polls.

Issara continues action in the consolation rounds tomorrow, Oct. 4. She’ll begin the doubles’ main draw on Friday, Oct. 5 alongside partner Lorraine Guillermo (Walnut, Calif./Rowland HS). The pair is one of the top contenders and enters the tournament with a doubles rank of #7.

Granillo (Pachuca, Mexico/Instituto Hidalgo) knocked out Michigan’s Brooke Bolender in three sets in the first round. In the second, Granillo went toe-to-toe with Sofie Oyen – largely considered to be one of the top returning players for the two-time defending NCAA Championship winning Florida Gators. After claiming the first set 6-4, Granillo took a 3-1 lead in set two. Oyen was able to surge ahead, however, and won the final two frames 6-4, 6-2.

“Ale has had a phenomenal outing,” said assistant coach Scott Doerner. “Bolender is the No. 2 player for the Wolverines, so that was a huge win for her. And she continued to play well against a very tough opponent from Florida.

“Khunpak had a bit of a rough start,” continued Doerner, “But we are very pleased with the way she has bounced back in the consolation draw.”

Full brackets for all draws can be found on the ITA website: http://www.itatennis.com/Events/ITANationalChampionships/WomensAllAmerican.htm

Riviera/ITA All-American Championship

Oct 2-7, 2012 at Riviera Tennis Club (Pacific Palisades, Calif.)

Singles Qualifying Draw

QD-R1 #74 Ale Granillo (Pepperdine) def. #58 Brooke Bolender (Michigan) 6-7 (2-7), 6-2, 6-4

QD-R1 #51 Jenny Jullien (Saint Mary's College (CA)) def. #39 Khunpak Issara (Pepperdine) 6-2, 6-0

QD-R2 #32 Sofie Oyen (Florida) def. #74 Ale Granillo (Pepperdine) 4-6, 6-4, 6-2

QD-Cons #39 Khunpak Issara (Pepperdine) def. #103 Erin Vierra (Virginia) 6-4, 6-2

QD-Cons #39 Khunpak Issara (Pepperdine) def. #33 Liudmila Vasilieva (Washington State)