Nov. 7, 2010
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - Texas A&M sophomore Nazari Urbina was named the singles champion today as the Aggies concluded their fall season at the annual Kitty Harrison Invitational at the Cone-Kenfield Tennis Center on the University of North Carolina campus.
Urbina completed an undefeated weekend in singles, all at the No. 1 flight, after coming from behind and holding off a match point to defeat 25th-ranked Jackie Wu of Vanderbilt, 5-7, 7-6, 1-0 (8). It was Urbina's fourth consecutive three-set victory at the three-day mock dual tournament.
A&M didn't fare as well in the other singles matches against the Commodores as Christi Liles suffered a 2-6, 6-3, 1-0 (4) setback to 58th-ranked Chelsea Preeg at the No. 2 flight, and Stephanie Davidson fell to Kielly Ulery, 7-6, 6-4 at the No. 3 spot. A&M's Lauren Santacroce fell in three sets, 1-6, 6-3, 1-0 (6) to Nelly Redeva at the No. 4 line, and Sheri Olivier dropped a 6-3, 6-3 decision to Erica Robertson at the No. 5 flight.
In other action, A&M won both doubles matches against Virginia. Urbina and Liles defeated the Cavaliers' Hana Tomljanovic and Emily Fraser, 8-6 at the No. 1 flight, and Davidson and Olivier knocked off Erin Vierra and Lindsey Hardenbert, 8-2 at the No. 2 spot.
"This was a strong tournament and we were able to get a lot out of it," A&M coach Bobby Kleinecke said. "Nazari was solid throughout, and Stephanie continued to really impress me. She has had a great fall season. Basically the tournament allowed us to try a lot of different doubles combinations, and we got a good handle on the lineup for the spring.
"We were playing without Janelle Cuthbertson (foot injury), and Morgan (Frank) wasn't able to play today (illness), so I was pleased with what we have done. We'll be adding a player in January who will be high in the lineup and help out a lot. We still won't have a lot of room for error, but we will be okay."
The tournament marked the end of the Aggies' fall season. A&M opens the spring season on Sunday, Jan. 23 at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, Ark.
UNC Kitty Harrison Invitational - Sunday Results
Texas A&M vs. Virginia (Doubles)
1. Nazari Urbina/Christi Liles (A&M) def. Hana Tomljanovic/Emily Fraser (UVA), 8-6
2. Stephanie Davidson/Sheri Olivier (A&M) def. Erin Vierra/Lindsey Hardenberg (UVA), 8-2
Texas A&M vs. Vanderbilt (Singles)
1. (#33) Nazari Urbina (A&M) def. (#25) Jackie Wu (VU), 5-7, 7-6, (8)
2. (#58) Chelsea Preeg (VU) def. Christi Liles (A&M), 2-6, 6-3, 1-0 (4)
3. Kielly Ulery (VU) def. Stephanie Davidson (A&M), 7-6, 6-4
4. Nelly Radeva (VU) def. Lauren Santacroce (A&M), 1-6, 6-3, 1-0 (6)
5. Erica Robertson (VU) def. Sheri Olivier (A&M), 6-3, 6-3