University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
Gopher Invitational
Gophers Shine On Day One
9/16/2011 12:00:00 AM | Tennis
Sept. 16, 2011
The University of Minnesota women's tennis team showed plenty of firepower during the first day of its Gopher Invitational at Baseline Tennis Center. The tournament, which runs from today until Sunday, features participants from Minnesota, Bradley, Gustavus, Iowa, Iowa State, LSU, Missouri, UW-Milwaukee and Wisconsin.
Six Gophers are participating in the tournament, which is divided into four flights in singles and two in doubles. They were involved in nine matches on Friday and posted an impressive 8-1 record (3-1 in doubles and 5-0 in singles).
"We had a good overall day," said coach Tyler Thomson. "Everybody played with a good degree of energy and competed hard. Those were the main things we were looking for. It was a good start and a good first day for the freshman and sophomore Pauline Gilbert who all had their first matches as a Gopher. They did great."
Senior Magdalena Wiecha and junior Alexa Palen posted two flawless wins in doubles play, as they topped duos from Bradley and Iowa 8-0. The tandem will face Sonja Molnar and Shelby Talcott of Iowa in the semifinals at 9 a.m. on Saturday.
 | "Everybody played with a good degree of energy and competed hard. Those were the main things we were looking for." - Minnesota Coach Tyler Thomson |
Wiecha is also competing in the top singles draw and rallied for a 4-6, 6-3, 1-0 (10-5) win against Simona Cacciuttolo of Iowa State. Palen is only competing in doubles play.
Freshmen Julia Courter and Aria Lambert got their college careers started on the right note as they paired for an 8-5 doubles victory against Iowa's Ellen Silver and Ally Majercik in the top flight. They then fell 8-6 to Missouri in the second round.
Both Courter and Lambert were able to put their doubles defeat behind then as they both posted convincing wins in the second singles flight. Courter blanked Carly Miles of Bradley 6-0, 6-0, while Lambert dropped Bradley's Adele Henke 6-0, 6-1.
Junior Doron Muravnik and sophomore Pauline Gilbert are the other two Gophers playing this weekend. They are competing only in singles and both found victory on Friday. Muravnik cruised to a 6-0, 6-0 win against Sarah Rodefeld of Bradley in the top flight, while Gilbert triumphed 6-1, 6-2 against Corey Mattson of Bradley.
The Gopher Invitational is the first of six fall tournaments that Minnesota will compete in this year and continues tomorrow starting at 9 a.m. The event is free to the public.
Players Mentioned
