From University of Chicago Athletics
The University of Chicago women's tennis team opened the first day of the 2017 Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) Central Regional Championships with strong performances across the board Friday at Oberlin College.
In singles play, six Maroons advanced into Saturday's championship second round with straight-set victories, as fifth-seeded Marjorie Antohi, Claire Handa, Alyssa Rudin, Catherine Xu, Laura Gutierrez, and Estefania Navarro all captured first-round wins.
"There were a number of positives to take away from today's performances as a team, but I thought Estefi (Navarro) and Laura (Gutierrez) really stood out in singles," head coach Jay Tee said. "They both competed with amazing energy and kept a great positive attitude that helped them play great and overcome the tough moments in their matches.
"I'm hopeful that the rest of their teammates took notice of the difference it made in their matches and we can carry that into tomorrow and raise our level even higher."
In doubles, the top-seeded duo of Antohi and Daryn Ellison captured identical 8-0 wins in the first two rounds to advance into Saturday's Round of 16, while the third-seeded pair of Handa and Rudin won both of their matches by scores of 8-1.
Also advancing into the championship bracket and winning both doubles matches were Gutierrez and Xu, who defeated teams from Illinois Tech and Hope by scores of 8-3 and 8-1.
Singles play continues Saturday with winners advancing into Sunday's quarterfinals and semifinals. The singles championship is set for Monday. In doubles, the Round of 16 and quarterfinals will play out Saturday, followed by Sunday's semifinals and Monday's championship match.
SINGLES
(5) Marjorie Antohi (Chicago) def. A. Ress Liere (Allegheny), 6-1, 6-0.
Claire Handa (Chicago) def. N. Rahrig (Hope), 6-0, 6-1.
Alyssa Rudin (Chicago) def. C. Can (Kenyon), 6-3, 6-3.
Catherine Xu (Chicago) def. T. LaBarge (Hope), 6-1, 6-2.
Laura Gutierrez (Chicago) def. C. Schaffer (Augustana), 6-2, 6-3.
Estefania Navarro (Chicago) def. S. Tripathy (WashU), 6-4, 6-1.
N. Cepeda (Case Western), def. Adrienne Travis (Chicago) 6-1, 6-3
Pesky (WashU) def. Daryn Ellison (Chicago), 6-1, 6-2.
DOUBLES
(1) Antohi/Ellison (Chicago) def. E. LaBarge/Devries (Hope), 8-0; Antohi/Ellison def. Ochenhirt/Kelly (Ohio Northern), 8-0.
(3) Handa/Rudin (Chicago) def. Davy/Davy (St. Mary's), 8-1;Handa/Rudin (Chicago) def. DeLeon/Ress Liere (Allegheny), 8-1.
Gutierrez/Xu (Chicago) def. Halicka/Colbert (Illinois Tech), 8-3; Gutierrez/Xu (Chicago) def. Rahrig/Chorney (Hope), 8-1.
Hawley/Hickey (Denison) def. Navarro/Travis (Chicago), 8-3.