Kansas State Tennis Ends Georgia Invitational Against Miami
Sep 30, 2001 | Tennis
Sept. 30, 2001
Athens, Ga. - The Kansas State women's tennis team wrapped up the Georgia Bulldog Fall Invitational today in Athens, Ga. winning two of seven singles matches and one of two doubles matches against Miami.
In her first collegiate tennis tournament, freshman Maria Rosenberg (Manhattan, Kan.) went 4-0 in singles, including a 6-3, 6-3 victory today at No. 3 singles over Miami's Sihem Bennacer. Rosenberg won the last three games in set two to beat Bennacer.
"Maria has brought two things to our program. First, an outstanding work ethic and second, a spirit of competition that's second to none," Kansas State head coach Steve Bietau said.
Senior Alena Jecminkova (Yeck-mink-oh-va) went three sets at No. 1 singles, but lost to Miami's Maria Toro, 6-2, 5-7, 5-7, after she was up 4-1 in the third set.
At second singles senior Kathy Chuda (WHO-da) lost to Miami's Marcy Hora, 3-6, 1-6. At No. 4 singles junior Petra Sedlmajerova (settle-mare-oh-va) fell to Staci Stevens, 6-0, 6-1. Sophomore Paulina Castellijos (Cast-till-ay-hoes) fell to Miami's Sara Robbins, 3-6, 3-6 at No. 5 singles. At No. 6 singles, sophomore Hayley McIver went three sets to beat Miami's Jessica Pelto, 6-3, 2-6, 6-4. Freshman Andrea Cooper lost to Igna deVilliers of Miami at No. 7 singles, 9-7.
"I think the tournament was a great experience for the team," Bietau said. "We got to test ourselves against the very best and come out with a certain level of success. The tournament also pointed out some weaknesses in terms of concentration that must be addressed if our team is to achieve its goals. I do think our players earned some respect, if not from the other coaches, definintely from ours."
In doubles, Jecminkova and Cooper lost to Miami's Toro and Hora, 8-3, at No. 1 doubles. At No. 2 doubles, Chuda and Sedlmajerova beat Miami's Robbins and Bennacer, 8-4 and at No. 3 doubles, Castellijos and Rosenberg fell to Miami's Stevens and Pelto, 8-4. McIver also beat Miami's Abby Smith in singles, 8-1.
"I was really impressed with the fighting spirit of all the girls playing with some of the best in the nation and not being afraid of stiff competition," K-State assistant coach Andres Gonzalez.
Kansas State returns to action on Oct. 11 when the Wildcats play in the Riviera All-American in Pacific Palisades, Calif.
