Sept. 30, 2008

PACIFIC PALISADES, CALIF. - Members of the USC women's tennis wrapped up the qualifying rounds of the Riviera/ITA All-American Championships on Tuesday. The Trojan doubles team of sophomore Maria Sanchez and freshman Alison Ramos pinned up three wins in last weekend's pre-qualifying round to advance to today's qualifying rounds.

Sanchez/Ramos came up against a Kentucky duo today at the Riviera action, taking the Trojan pair's first loss of the year in an 8-4 decision to Escamilla/Johnston of Kentucky. The two Women of Troy had cruised through last weekend's pre-qualifying play, posting an 8-3 win over Airapetian/Tigu of Arkansas to open things. Sanchez/Ramos then took down Fudge/Finnegan of Illinois 8-5 in the next round, and topped Miami's Mejia/Eichkorn 8-3 to punch their ticket to the next stage of ITA All-American competition.

Also getting weekend wins in pre-qualifying rounds were Sarah Fansler and Ramos in singles play. Fansler beat Virginia's Emily Fraser 6-3, 6-1 to kick things off and then bested Noelle Hickey of Georgia Tech 6-3, 6-1. Fansler came up one victory short of getting to the qualifying round, however, falling 6-4, 6-3 to Pichitta Thongdach of Boise State.

Ramos also won her first singles match as a Trojan, beating Georgia Tech's Viet Ha Ngo 6-2, 6-2 before slipping in a three-setter 4-6, 6-1, 6-3 to Alejandra Guerra. Leyla Entekhabi was also in on the pre-qualifying play, but fell 4-6, 6-4, 6-1 to Maggie Mello of Texas.

Today in the qualifying singles rounds, Trojans Sanchez and Gabriela Niculescu were entered into the day's opening Round of 32. Sanchez fought Georgia's Yvette Hyndman through three sets but dropped the match 6-4, 2-6, 6-2. Niculescu also got tagged with a tough three-set loss, going down 6-4, 5-7, 7-5 to Marritt Boonstra of Florida.

The Riviera/ITA All-American Championships pick up with the full field of competition on Thursday (Oct. 2). USC's Amanda Fink is entered into the Main Draw as the nation's No. 5 ranked singles player. In doubles play, Fink will team back up with Niculescu in the Main Draw, ranked No. 2 in the nation.

PRE-QUALIFYING (Sept. 27-28)
SINGLES
First Round
Sarah Fansler (USC) def. Emily Fraser (UVA) - 6-3, 6-1
Alison Ramos (USC) def. Viet Ha Ngo (GTech) - 6-2, 6-2
Maggie Mello (Texas) def. Leyla Entekhabi (USC) - 4-6, 6-4, 6-1

Second Round
Sarah Fansler (USC) def. Noelle Hickey (GTech) - 6-3, 6-1
Alejandra Guerra (UNC-Gr.) def. Alison Ramos (USC) - 4-6, 6-1, 6-2

Third Round
Pichitta Thongdach (BSU) def Sarah Fansler (USC) - 6-4, 6-3

DOUBLES
First Round
Sanchez/Ramos (USC) def. Airapetian/Tigu (ARK) - 8-3
Brock/Hojickova (NCSt) def. Fansler/Entekhabi (USC) - 8-5

Second Round
Sanchez/Ramos (USC) def. Fudge/Finnegan (ILL) - 8-5

Third Round
Sanchez/Ramos (USC) def. Mejia/Eichkorn (Miami) - 8-3

QUALIFYING (Sept. 30-Oct. 1)
SINGLES
First Round
Marritt Boonstra (FL) def. Gabriela Niculescu (USC) - 6-4, 5-7, 7-5
Yvette Hyndman (UGA) def. Maria Sanchez (USC) - 6-4, 2-6, 6-2

DOUBLES
First Round
Escamilla/Johnston (KEN) def. Sanchez/Ramos (USC) - 8-4