Stephen F. Austin
SFA Invitational
Ladyjacks Kick Off First Day Of SFA Invitational
9/26/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
Sept. 26, 2008
NACOGDOCHES, Texas - Newcomer Alina Shazkho picked up two wins in only her second tournament as a Ladyjack to highlight the first day of competition at the SFA Fall Invitational tennis tournament on Friday.
Shazkho knocked off a pair of Southland Conference opponents in the second flight of singles competition, rolling past Peele of Texas State in straight sets, 6-1, 6-3, before getting by Curukovia of Northwestern State in the semifinals 6-4, 6-2 to advance to Saturday's final. She will square off with another SLC foe in Manijee Ashrati of Lamar in the final.
Only one other Ladyjack advanced to the winner's side of the bracket in singles play on Friday as Mary Harrison won in straight sets 6-3, 6-1 over Jennifer Nowland of Texas State in the first match of flight six singles. However, Louisiana-Monroe's Claire Clark stopped her short of the finals in straight sets, sending Harrison to the flight's third-place match against Shannon Mackenzie of North Texas on Saturday.
SFA also saw success in the first flight of doubles action as Shazkho teamed with Roxana Enica to pick up an 8-4 win over Texas State's top tandem of Ellis and Chafitz to advance to the semifinals against the North Texas duo of Wilhelm and Paraschiv on Saturday.
Sanjana Kapur and Gaby Gadeva each dropped their first matches in the third fourth flight's singles play, but rebounded to pick up consolation wins over Martiosyan of Sam Houston and Wilhelm of North Texas, respectively. Each will play for in her flight's consolation final in their next match.
Play is set to resume at 8:30 a.m. from the Schlief Tennis Complex.
-SFA-
