TUCSON, Ariz. – The Wildcats started off their only home tournament of the fall season by playing well all day at the Wildcat Invitational.
There are two flights in the tournament: the Red Flight and the Blue Flight. In the Blue Flight, freshman Sophia Thomas beat UTEP's Maria Paula Medina (6-2, 6-1). She then moved past Sonia Madronal of UTSA in straight sets (6-2, 6-2) and earned a spot in the semifinals. Alex Taylor took on Kylee Kato of UTSA but fell in straight sets (6-3, 6-3). In the consolation bracket, she eeked out a highly contested match over NMSU's Rebecca Keijzerwaard (6-4, 7-6 (8)).
Elena Schneider was also defeated in straight sets at the hands of NAU's Haley Rochin (7-5, 6-4). In her second match, Schneider topped Gabrielle Joysce of NMSU in straight sets (6-4, 6-1). Maggie Cohen had a stellar debut with the Wildcats, defeating Eli Amaudova of New Mexico State very quickly (6-1, 6-0). In her second match, she was defeated by Denisa Ibrahimovic of UTSA in three sets (5-7, 4-6, 4-6).
In the Red Flight, Devin Chypyha won her first match over Daphne Visscher of UTEP (6-3, 6-1). Her second match of the day against UTSA's Miriam Rosell resulted in a loss (6-0, 7-5). Samantha Czarniak cruised through a first round victory over Marta Lewandowska of NAU (6-2, 6-2). She had a lead in the third set against Charleen Tiwari of UTSA before Tiwari retired due to injury, meaning that Czarniak advances to the semifinals. Camila Wesbrooks won a close first set before dominating the second set against Lois Wagenvoort of UTEP (7-6(4), 6-0). She dropped her second match to Ludivine Burgeuiere of UNM
(6-1, 6-4).
In the doubles draw, the Wildcats had four different pairs competing. In the Blue Flight, Thomas/Cohen had a bye and moved on to the semi finals automatically. Also in the Blue Flight was a dual-school partnership of Schneider and Medina of UTEP. The pair dropped their match to Valdez/Harlas of NMSU (6-3).
In the Red Flight, Wesbrooks/Taylor moved on to the semis with a (6-1) victory over NAU's Tomasetti/Lewandowska. Chypyha/Czarniak weren't able to find the same luck, as they were defeated by Burgeuiere/Copas of UNM (6-3).
UP NEXT: Saturday will kick off with doubles action. In the Blue Flight, Thomas/Cohen will take on Rochin/Granville of NAU. In the Red Flight, Wesbrooks/Taylor will face Rosell/Kato of UTSA. Both matches will take place at 9 a.m. MST.
In the singles Blue Flight, Thomas faces a matchup with Raven Bennett of UTEP with a trip to the finals on the line. It is scheduled for 11 a.m. MST.
In the Red Flight, Czarniak is set to face Miriam Rosell of UTSA in the semis. That match is also scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. MST.
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