WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – The Gardner-Webb women's tennis wrapped up play at the ITA Regions in Winston-Salem, N.C. tonight with strong performances by all six Runnin' Bulldogs in attendance.
In the qualifying draw, Daniela Naupari picked up a two-set win over fellow Big South competitor Tayla Van Eck of Winthrop, 7-6(2), 6-3. In the second round, she fell to #1 Pierina Imperato of Charlotte, 6-4, 6-3. Freshman Teodora Ristic shut out Presbyterian's Katie Thompson, 6-0, 6-0 in the opening round of the draw before falling to Duke's Ema Lazic, 7-6(2), 2-6, 7-5.
Senior Miljana Ristic earned Gardner-Webb's lone spot in the main singles draw and received a tough match when she was pitted against ninth-seeded Megan Davis of South Carolina. Davis topped Ristic in straight sets, 6-0, 6-1. Ristic then lost in the consolation bracket to Wake Forest's Anna Campana.
In the B draw, Mayumi Saguchi, Valentine Limauge and Milica Panic each earned a first-round bye. In the second round, Saguchi fell to Wofford's Liz Massie in three sets. She won the second set 7-6(3) but dropped the first and third sets and ultimately the match. She was eliminated from contention in the draw following a loss in the consolation bracket to Elon's Uma Nayar.
Limauge topped Campbell's Inma Ramon , 3-6, 6-4, 6-2 before losing to Appalachian State's Maria Zacarias. Zacarias won by scores of 6-4 and 6-2 respectively. Panic was defeated by Wofford's Michala Kluska, 6-1, 6-2 in the main draw and by Marshall's Victoria Walter in consolation action.
In doubles play, Ristic and Naupari teamed up and defeated Olivia Archer and Kiana Rizzolo of Elon, 8-3. Despite a valiant effort against top-ranked Rogers and Smith of NC State, they fell, 8-5.
Limauge and Delsol beat Wofford's Alexandra Hildell and Michala Kluska, 8-6 before being knocked out of contention by #5 Summer Dvorak and Meible Chi of Duke, 8-1.
T.Ristic and Saguchi lost a first-round match to Elise Millis and Kendall Couch of South Carolina, 8-3.
To complete its fall season, the team will travel to Spartanburg, S.C. and play in the Wofford Fall Invitational from November 8-10.
