Michigan
Michigan Invitational
Wolverines Continue Solid Play at Michigan Invitational
1/10/2004 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The University of Michigan women's tennis team continued its strong play at the Michigan Invitational on Saturday (Nov. 10), earning three singles wins against Georgia Tech and three doubles wins over Louisiana State at the Varsity Tennis Center.
Michigan split six matches against the Yellow Jackets in the close singles competition, which included four matches that went to three sets. Junior Michelle DaCosta (Huber Heights, Ohio/Wayne HS) set the pace for the Wolverines, earning a 6-3, 7-6 straight-set victory against Kelly Anderson at the No. 1 spot. Also collecting wins for Michigan were senior Chrissie Nolan (Glenview, Ill./Glenbrook South HS) and junior Leanne Rutherford (Calgary, Alberta/National Sports School), who both battled back from first-set losses to pull out victories. Nolan defeated the Yellow Jackets' Sekita Grant 3-6, 6-4, 7-6(3) at the No. 4 position and Rutherford won 3-6, 6-4, 6-2 against Kacie Anson at No. 5.
The Wolverines were dominant in the doubles competition for the second consecutive day, sweeping all three matches from LSU. Senior Kavitha Tipirneni (Galloway, Ohio/Hilliard Darby HS) and freshman Kara Delicata (LaSalle, Ontario/Sandwich Secondary) won a close match at the No. 1 position, defeating the Tigers' Rocio Fanitlli and Lauren Seaman 8-6. The DaCosta-Rutherford tandem earned an 8-3 win over Jessica Ferguson and Marina Chiarulli, while the pairing of Nolan and senior Kim Plaushines (Oconomowoc, Wis./Kettle Moraine HS) posted an 8-4 decision over Amanda Mang and Camila Caliari.
The Wolverines will return to the court tomorrow (Sunday, Jan. 11) for the final day of the Michigan Invitational. Michigan will face Georgia Tech in doubles at 9 a.m. and Eastern Michigan in singles at 12:30 p.m. All matches will be held at the Varsity Tennis Center.
Following are Michigan's results from Saturday:
Singles vs. Georgia Tech
No. 1 -- Michelle DaCosta (U-M) d. Kelly Anderson, 6-3, 7-6
No. 2 -- Lyndsay Shosho (GT) d. Elizabeth Exon, 7-5, 1-6, 6-3
No. 3 -- Alison Silverio (GT) d. Kavitha Tipirneni, 7-5, 6-0
No. 4 -- Chrissie Nolan (U-M) d. Sekita Grant, 3-6, 6-4, 6-2
No. 5 -- Leanne Rutherford (U-M) d. Kacie Anson, 3-6, 6-4, 6-2
No. 6 -- Lindsey Stauss (GT) d. Kara Delicata, 6-2, 4-6, 6-1
Doubles vs. Louisiana State
No. 1 -- Delicata/Tipirneni (U-M) d. Fantilli/Seaman, 8-4
No. 2 -- DaCosta/Rutherford (U-M) d. Kansuthi/Lincaru, 8-3
No. 3 -- Nolan/Kim Plaushines (U-M) d. Mung/Caliari, 8-4
Contact: Leah Howard (734) 647-4423
Players Mentioned
