 Elmore, Becker Reach Semifinals at Missouri
Sept. 15, 2008
COLUMBIA, Mo. - Sophomore Hailee Elmore and senior Joe Becker reached the semifinals of singles Flights A and B, respectively, to lead Saint Louis women's tennis at the University of Missouri Invitational Sept. 12-14. Elmore posted a 6-1, 6-0 first-round win over Chelsea Horner of UMKC, then outlasted Missouri's Mallory Weber 1-6, 6-4 (10-7). Kaitlyn Ritchie of Missouri halted Elmore in the semifinals by a 7-5, 6-2 score. After receiving a first-round bye, Becker downed Drake's Amanda Aragon 6-7, 7-6 (10-6). She fell 6-4, 6-0 to Drake's Jessica Aguilera in the semifinals. Freshman Maureen Rielley posted a 6-2, 3-6 (10-8) first-round win over Julia Zubkova of Illinois State in Flight A. In Flight C, freshman Kasia Tomalak lost in the first round but went on to win the consolation bracket with a 6-1, 6-1 victory over Megan Titus of UMKC and a 6-3, 6-3 triumph over Illinois State's Sarah Streitz. Also in Flight C, senior Caitlin Bokulic collected a 6-1, 6-2 first-round win over Streitz. In doubles, Reilley and sophomore Casey Miller downed Aguilera and Earlynn Lauer of Drake 8-2 in the opening round. Elmore and Becker also were victorious in the first round, defeating UMKC's Jillian Yakominich and Jessica Ball 8-1. Tomalak and Bokulic were toppled in the first round but managed an 8-2 victory over Caitlin Burke and Holly Davis of UMKC in the consolation round. "This was the best performance we've ever had at this tournament," head coach Jonathan Zych said. "Everybody performed well, and our players showed strong support for each other. It was a successful weekend for our team. "I feel great about the way Hailee and Maureen performed," Zych added. "Hailee had another thrilling win over Mallory Weber, and Maureen beat Julia Zubkova, Illinois State's No. 1 player. I was also encouraged by our doubles play, which was strong across the board."
The Billikens compete in the Washington University Invitational Friday through Sunday, Sept. 19-21. |
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