Women's Tennis Opens Season at W&M Invitational

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WILLIAMSBURG, Va. — The Virginia women’s tennis team began the 2009-10 season Friday as play began at the William & Mary Invitational. Seven Cavaliers saw action in the first event of the season.

In the A singles flight, three Cavaliers bounced back from falling in their opening match to reach the backdraw semifinal. Lindsey Hardenbergh (Fairfax Station, Va.) lost a close first round match to No. 36 ranked Michaela Kissel of Marshall, 2-6, 6-4, 6-4, but rallied to blank Ana Bara of VCU 6-0, 6-0 in the backdraw quarterfinals. Jennifer Stevens (Miami, Fla.) bounced back from a opening round loss to Elizaveta Zaytseva of Winthrop to top Erin Clark of Richmond in the backdraw.First-year Erin Vierra (Norwell, Mass.) lost her collegiate debut to No. 98 ranked Yevgeniya Stupak of East Tennessee State 7-5, 2-6, 6-2, but rallied with a 6-4, 6-0 win over Lauren Sabacinski of William & Mary in the backdraw.

Three other Cavaliers made their collegiate debut on the day. That group was led by Hana Tomljanovic, who won a pair of matches to reach the semifinals of Flight B. Maria Fuccillo (Rockville, Md.) won her debut, but lost in the quarterfinals of Flight D. Riley Blanks (Shaker Heights, Ohio) won her debut in Flight E before falling in the quarterfinals.

In doubles, top-seeded Stevens and Tomljanovic won their opener in Flight A to advance to the quarterfinals. In Flight B, the top-seeded team of Fuccillo and Neela Vaez (Perrysburg, Ohio) also won their opener.

The tournament continues Saturday and runs through Sunday.