Women’s Tennis Continues Fall Competition in North Carolina
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Kentucky women’s tennis continued fall competition with two matches in North Carolina at the ITA All-American Championships and 49er Invitational.
Zoe Hammond competed in Cary, N.C. at the ITA All-American Championships, Sept. 21-29, while Ellie Myers and Asuncion Jadue took their talents to Charlotte, N.C. for the 49er Invitational, Sept. 27-29.
While competing in Cary, Hammond fought her way through the pre-qualifying and qualifying rounds of the competition. She kicked off the All-American Championships with an R128 win against Emma Vanderheyden (Marshall) in two sets, 7(7)-6(3), 6-3.
The junior advanced to the next round of the tournament taking on Jade Otway (TCU) on day two. She came out on top over her TCU opponent, 2-6, 6-4, 6-2 in the round of 64. She then went head-to-head in three sets with Mia Slama (NC State). The two battled through three tiebreakers with Hammond taking the R32 win, 6(7)-7(9), 7(7)-6(5), 7(7)-6(5).
“Zoe represented our program on the national stage with class and an outstanding competitive spirit,” assistant coach Stephen Ward said. “This drive was highlighted in spades on day two of the tournament as she won two three-set matches spanning over seven hours of high-level play.”
In the first qualifying round of the tournament, Hammond faced her first loss to Southeastern Conference rival Guillermina Grant (Georgia) 3-6, 4-6. The Wildcat later saw elimination in the qualifying round of 32 against another SEC rival Ariana Anazagasty-Pursoo (Texas) in three sets, 7-5, 2-6, 3-6.
“We are excited to see Zoe continue to develop as we head toward another great opportunity at ITA Regionals next week (Oct. 10),” stated Ward.
Just days later, teammates Myers and Jadue took on the 49er Invitational hosted by UNC at Charlotte. Kicking off the weekend of tennis, the two Wildcats paired up for doubles play against Charlotte’s Lucia Aranda and Paula Dougherty winning 6-3. In singles competition, Jadue faced Sara Suchankova (Charlotte) where she fell 6-7 in the first set, came back to rally 6-1 in the second set, but ultimately lost the potential victory in the third set, 3-6. Also competing in singles against Charlotte, Myers took on Ni Xi. The two student-athletes battled through three sets as Xi claimed the win, 4-6, 6-2, 6-3.
On Saturday, Jadue and Myers went head-to-head with opponents from James Madison University. In doubles competition, the Kentucky tandem defeated Elena Kraleva and Sophie Williams, 6-4. Moving to singles play, Jadue took to the court to once again compete against Williams. The two student-athletes went back and forth for three sets before Williams claimed the win, 6-7, 6-2 (10-6). In the No. 5 spot, Myers fell 2-6, 2-6 against Daria Munteanu.
The final day of the 49er Invitational resulted in Jadue and Myers taking on East Tennessee State University foes. Once again in doubles, the Kentucky pair teamed up for battle. They fell to the Buccaneer opponents of Daniela Rivera and Alessandra Caceres, 2-6. Playing in the No. 1 singles position, Jadue took on Rivera but was unable to bring home the win after three sets, 6-2, 1-6, 0-6. Myers also fell to her ETSU competitor, Linge Steenkamp, 2-6, 6-7.
The next test the fall schedule for Kentucky will begin Oct. 4 running through Oct. 6 at the Wahoowa Invite in Charlottesville, Va. hosted by the University of Virginia. Fans can watch the tournament live by clicking here.
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