Jan. 21, 2007
MIAMI, Fla. - Freshman Jil Hastenrath finished up her perfect singles weekend (3-0), taking the flight five singles title on Sunday at the FIU Spring Invitational.
"This was a very tough event and we were thrilled to be a part of such a strong tournament," head coach Tim Gray said. "Competing against the 2006 NCAA finalists and two other teams ranked in the top 35 in the nation is exactly what we need to see how we measure up against stiff competition. "I'm very proud of our efforts this weekend. Every player, without exception, is working extremely hard to put this tennis program on the national map and I believe that this weekends results prove that we are heading in the right direction."
For the weekend, the Tigers picked up three singles wins and one doubles win against 33rd ranked South Florida. AU also took four of seven singles wins as well as a doubles win against No. 35 FIU, while also getting a singles and doubles win versus No. 5 Miami.
Included in those victories, was a brilliant performance by Fani Chifchieva, as she upset the 10th ranked player in the country, Shandisha Robinson of USF, 6-0, 3-6, 6-1.
In singles action on Sunday, Hastenrath defeated Iciri Rai of South Florida, 7-5, 6-1. Redshirt freshman Fani Chifchieva pulled off the upset after beating the 10th ranked player in the country, Shandisha Robinson, 6-0, 3-6, 6-1 in flight one. Sophomore Alex Haney dropped her match to Courtney Vernon in flight two, 4-6, 6-1, 6-3. In flight three, sophomore Whitney Chappell fell, 7-5, 6-1 to Jessica Sweeting. Freshman Melissa Koning also fell in her match, 6-3, 6-2 to Liz Cruz. In flight six, sophomore Kelly Adams lost to Gabriela Duch, 6-1, 6-1. Freshman Heather Bybee made quick work of Ashley Schumacher, 6-1, 6-0 in flight seven
On the doubles side, Haney/Hastenrath fell to Banada/Farah, 8-4 in flight one. Chifchieva/Koning picked up their second win of the weekend, 8-6 over Seenauth/Wasilewski, while Chappell/Adams lost their flight three match to Mowery/Sabatino, 8-6.
The Tigers will open up home action on Saturday, Feb. 3 against Mercer at 10 a.m., and Florida A&M at 3 p.m.
Singles
Flight 1 AUB Fani Chifchieva d. USF Shandisha Robinson (6-0, 3-6, 6-1)
Flight 2 USF Courtney Vernon d. AUB Alex Haney (4-6, 6-1, 6-3)
Flight 3 USF Jessica Sweeting d. AUB Whitney Chappell (7-5, 6-1)
Flight 4 USF Liz Cruz d. AUB Melissa Koning (6-3, 6-2)
Flight 5 AUB Jil Hastenrath d. USF Iciri Rai (7-5, 6-1)
Flight 6 USF Gabriela Duch d. AUB Kelly Adams (6-1, 6-1)
Flight 7 AUB Heather Bybee d. USF Ashley Schumacher (6-1, 6-0)
Doubles
Flight 1 UM Audrey Banada/Romy Farah d. AUB Alex Haney/Jil Hastenrath (8-4)
Flight 2 AUB Fani Chifchieva/Melissa Koning d. UM Caren Seenauth/Claudia Wasilewski (8-6)
Flight 3 UM Emily Mowery/Gina Sabatino d. AUB Whitney Chappell/Kelly Adams (8-6)