University of Illinois
ITA Midwest Regional
Illini Start Strong in ITA Regionals
October 21, 2016 | Women's Tennis
Five Illini advance to main singles draw, and three doubles pairs advance
EAST LANSING, Mich. – With the first two days of the ITA Midwest Regional Championships in the books, several Illini are looking to make more noise in the main singles and doubles draws.
In the qualifying singles draw on Thursday, Daniela Pedraza Novak defeated Akron's Karalina Maksimava, 6-3, 6-0, then Eastern Michigan's Anna Veleva, 6-1, 6-3. On Friday, Pedraza Novak took down Bowling Green's Marharita-Sophia Tavpash, 6-4, 6-3, to advance to the main singles draw.
Friday also saw the first two rounds in the main draw of doubles play. Louise Kwong and Ines Vias, forming the No. 25-ranked doubles tandem, received a bye in the first round, and defeated Wisconsin's pair of Kelsey Grambeau and Sydney Rider, 8-2.
Also receiving a bye in the first round, the pair of Madie Baillon and Jaclyn Switkes defeated Hayley Marshall and Alysa Straub of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, 8-5.
Alexis Casati teamed up with Pedraza Novak in doubles, as the Illini pair won their first round match against Depaul's Florence Abbott and Milica Tesic, 8-2. In the second round, Casati and Pedraza took down the pair of Paula Comella and Tavpash of Bowling Green, 8-3.
The main singles draw will begin on Saturday, in addition to the later rounds of the doubles draw.
