April 21, 2006

Monroeville, Pa. - Seventh-seeded Saint Louis topped No. 10 Dayton 4-0 on Friday morning in the first round of the Atlantic 10 Conference Women's Tennis Championships at the Club 4 Life in Monroeville, Pa. SLU, which improves to 14-8 on the season, now advances to face second-seeded Charlotte at 2:30 p.m. (CT) on Friday afternoon.

SLU claimed the doubles point behind wins from Amanda Hellberg and Ana Renda at No. 2, and Rachel McCullagh and Caitlin Bokulic at the No. 3 position.

In singles play, Katerina Lozanova won 6-1, 6-1 at the No. 2 slot, and Tara Grant dominated at fourth singles with a 6-0, 6-1 win. Jo Becker clinched the match with a 6-3, 6-2 win at No. 6 singles.

"The team really executed well and played with confidence, which is key if we want to go far in the Championships," coach Jonathan Zych said. "Jo Becker's play at No. 6 singles clinched the match for us, and hopefully she will be able to carry some added confidence as the weekend progresses."

Doubles
1. Allysa Detroy/Katie Mellion (UD) def. Katie Lozanova/Tara Grant (SLU) - 8-4
2. Amanda Hellborg/Ana Renda (SLU) def. Megan Gray/Nikki Dzubay (UD) - 8-2
3. Rachel McCullough/Caitlin Bokulic (SLU) def. Carrie Trigilio/Mackenzie Hoops (UD) - 8-5

Singles
1. Hellberg (SLU) vs. Detroy (UD) - 6-1, 5-2 (DNF)
2. Lozanova (SLU) def. Mellion (UD) - 6-1, 6-1
3. Dzubay (UD) vs. Renda (SLU) - 6-3, 1-5 (DNF)
4. Grant (SLU) def. Gray (UD) - 6-0, 6-1
5. McCullough (SLU) vs. Andrea Muresah (UD) - 6-2, 3-4 (DNF)
6. Jo Becker (SLU) def. Carrie Trigilio (UD) - 6-3, 6-2