Sunday, 09/09/2012

Koenen advances to singles flight title match

AUBURN, Ala. – Liselot Koenen highlighted the opening day of play for the University of Houston tennis team at the Auburn Invitational Friday, advancing to the singles flight title match.

Koenen, a sophomore from St. Charles, Ill., topped Tulane’s Jacqui Katz in a hard-fought 7-6(5), 6-4 decision before routing UT-Chattanooga’s Jovana Pecovski by a score of 6-0, 6-1 to advance to Saturday’s title match in her respective flight. Koenen will face off against Georgia Southern’s Stephanie Woods in her quest for her first collegiate fall singles title.

"The fall is basically an exhibition season, and our goal is to get physically and mentally prepared for the spring,” head coach Patrick Sullivan said. “That said, it feels good to get started, and we had some very solid results today. We will get some good rest tonight, watch a bit of the US Open for motivation, and come out here tomorrow to finish the tournament strong."

Junior Celia Fraser also picked up her first win of the 2012 fall season, rolling past Northwestern State’s Andrea Nedorostova by a score of 6-1, 6-3 before falling in the semifinals to Auburn’s Jackie Kasler (6-2, 6-0). The Birmingham, England, native will meet Tulane’s Jenny Hois in Saturday’s third-place match.

Fraser also notched a doubles victory with teammate Dionne Sanders, as the Houston duo posted an 8-4 decision over UT-Chattanooga’s Pecovski and Storic to advance to the semifinal round.

FRIDAY’S RESULTS

Flight 3 Singles Quarterfinals

Celia Fraser (UH) def. Andrea Nedorostova (NSU), 6-1, 6-3

Flight 3 Singles Semifinals

Jackie Kasler (AU) def. Celia Fraser (UH), 6-2, 6-0

Flight 7 Singles Quarterfinals

Liselot Koenen (UH) def. Jacqui Katz (TU), 7-6(5), 6-4

Stephanie Woods (GSU) def. Dionne Sanders (UH), 6-1, 2-1, ret.

Flight 7 Singles Semifinals

Liselot Koenen (UH) def. Jovana Pecouski (UTC), 6-0, 6-1

Flight 2 Doubles Quarterfinals

Konop/Krutova (NSU) def. Koenen (UH)/Leyshyna (NSU), 8-1

Flight 4 Doubles Quarterfinals

Fraser/Sanders (UH) def. Pecovski/Storie (UTC), 8-4


SATURDAY’S SCHEDULE

Flight 3 Third-Place Match

Celia Fraser (UH) vs. Jenny Hois (TLN)

Flight 7 Singles Final

Liselot Koenen (UH) vs. Stephanie Woods (GSU)

Flight 2 Doubles Consolation Semifinals

Koenen (UH)/Leyshyna (NSU) vs. Breaux/Burckhartt (ULL)

Flight 4 Doubles Semifinals

Fraser/Sanders (UH) vs. Katz/Helisten (TU)