Oct. 2, 2009

Columbia, MO - The University of Missouri Women's tennis team opened competition at the 2009 "Ace For A Cure" tournament by securing six singles-match wins and two more doubles victories to open a strong weekend of action at the Green Tennis Center.

Sophia Ayala and Kaitlyn Ritchie got the day started with an 8-1 win over Drake's Ali Patterson and Jessica Labarte. Also in pairs play, Kristen Bleakley and Andrea Lewis defeated Drake's Jessica Aguilera and Amanda Aragon, 8-4. Mallory Weber and Jamie Mera fell to Texas Tech's Natalie Leitch and Stefanie Peana, 2-8.

Six Tigers advanced in the singles draw. In bracket one, the Tigers got wins from Weber 6-2, 6-2 over Ashley Irvin of University of Louisville, and Mera 2-6, 6-1, 6-1 over Drake's Gabby Demos.

"It was really windy today so I started off a little bit slow and tried to get used to it. I was off with my shots. In the second set I played more consistent, started keeping balls in, and nailing my shots. When that started working I got a little more confident and managed to come back," Mera said.

In bracket two, senior Sophia Ayala defeated Texas Tech's Lerena Aviles 7-5, 7-5 to move into Saturday's semifinal. In bracket three, senior Kristen Bleakley won with ease over Drake's Amanda Aragon 6-0, 6-0 to open the second round of singles play.

Pink, Black and Gold bracket four saw the Tigers take two more wins. Kaitlyin Ritchie defeated Gabi Duncan of University of Louisville 6-3, 6-4, while sophomore Danielle Day earned a win over Louisville's Louise Noe.

Competition will continue Saturday at the Green Tennis Center facilities. Play will begin at 10:30 a.m. with a round of doubles followed by a pair of singles rounds. In support of "Ace For A Cure," each match will be played using pink tennis balls and all participants will be asked to wear an "Ace For A Cure" t-shirt. Following Saturday's matches, all participants will attend a luncheon and hear from a speaker about breast cancer awareness and early detection.

2009 Mizzou "Ace For A Cure" Tournament Green Tennis Center, Columbia, MO

TEAM CODES:

MIZ= University of Missouri TTECH= Texas Tech University DU= Drake University LU= University of Louisville

SINGLES

PINK, BLACK AND GOLD BRACKET ONE:

Mallory Weber (MIZ) def. Ashley Irvin (LU) 6-2, 6-2

Caroline Stark (TTech) def. Manca Krizman (DU) 6-3, 6-1

Natalie Leitch (TTech) def. Amelia Harris (LU) 6-3, 6-3

Jamie Mera (MIZ) def. Gabby Demos (DU) 2-6, 6-1, 6-1

PINK, BLACK AND GOLD BRACKET TWO:

Stefanie Peana (TTech) def. Ali Patterson (DU) 6-2, 6-3

Sarah Miller (LU) def. Kaitlyn Ritchie (MIZ) 6-4, 6-4

Sophia Ayala (MIZ) def. Lerena Aviles (TTech) 7-5, 7-5

Mandy Brown (LU) def. Jessica Aguilera (DU) 6-1, 6-4

PINK, BLACK AND GOLD BRACKET THREE:

Stefanie Villajuan (LU) def. Kerryn Potgeiter (TTech) 6-2, 6-3

Kristen Bleakley (MIZ) def. Amanda Aragon (DU) 6-0, 6-0

Jessica Labarte (DU) def. Mia Matuszak (DU) 6-4, 6-3

Louise Noe (LU) def. Andrea Lewis (MIZ) 3-6, 6-4, 6-2

PINK, BLACK AND GOLD BRACKET FOUR:

Danielle Day (MIZ) def. Louise Noe (LU) 6-4, 7-5

Kaitlyn Ritchie (MIZ) def. Gabi Duncan (LU) 6-3, 6-4

Caroline Starck (TTech) def. Maureen Modesto (MIZ) 6-1, 6-4

DOUBLES

PINK, BLACK AND GOLD BRACKET ONE:

Natalie Leitch/Stefanie Peana (TTech) def. Jamie Mera/Mallory Weber (MIZ) 8-2

Jo-Ann VanAerde/Amelia Harris (LU) def. Gabriela Demos/Manca Krizman (DU) 8-3

PINK, BLACK AND GOLD BRACKET TWO:

Mandy Brown/Louise Noe (LU) def. Stefanie Peana/Lorena Aviles (TTech) 8-6

Sophia Ayala/Kaitlyn Ritchie (MIZ) def. Ali Patterson/Jessica Labarte (DU) 8-1

PINK, BLACK AND GOLD BRACKET THREE:

Sarah Miller/Stefanie Villajuan (LU) def. Mia Matuszak/Lorena Aviles (TTech) 8-5

Kristen Bleakley/Andrea Lewis (MIZ) def. Jessica Aguilera/Amanda Aragon (DU) 8-4