Friday, September 11
Ithaca, NY
Syracuse University
at
Cornell Invitational
Knutson, Salazar Seize Cornell Invitational Titles
9/14/2015 9:45:00 AM | Tennis
ITHACA, N.Y.- Freshman Gabriela Knutson and junior Valeria Salazar led the Syracuse women's tennis team to a successful weekend at the 2015 Cornell University Fall Classic, guiding the Orange to an A Flight Singles Title as well as a doubles title.
Knutson got her first taste of collegiate tennis and did not disappoint, taking home the A Flight Singles Championship, winning all three of her matches to receive the crown. The freshman then teamed up with Salazar to take down host Cornell in the championship round of the doubles competition.
In singles play, Knutson took down Carolyn Pitman of Army 6-3, 6-3 in the title to start off her collegiate campaign with success. Moving over to doubles, Knutson and Salazar defeated Marika Cusick and Alexandra D'Ascenzo of Cornell 8-7(3), saving two match points before winning the title.
"We saw a lot of positive things out there," head coach Younes Limam said. "Gabriella did a fantastic job winning both her singles draw and doubles draw, partnered with Valeria. We are very pleased to see Valeria have that success coming off a leg surgery this past summer."
Freshmen Liba Mesh and Maria Tritou also had impressive showings in their first collegiate tournament, as Mesh won her bracket after finishing 3-1 over the weekend while Tritou made it all the way to the semifinals before a loss. Mesh defeated Nan Porter of Army 6-1, 6-3 for the win. Tritous was defeated by eventual runner-up Jane Stewart of Cornell 7-5, 6-2. Mesh's only loss was to Priyanka Shah, who beat Stewart in the championship round.
"It was a great weekend on several levels," Limam said. "Our three freshmen got their first taste of college tennis, and we got to grow together as a team at our first tournament."
Knutson got her first taste of collegiate tennis and did not disappoint, taking home the A Flight Singles Championship, winning all three of her matches to receive the crown. The freshman then teamed up with Salazar to take down host Cornell in the championship round of the doubles competition.
In singles play, Knutson took down Carolyn Pitman of Army 6-3, 6-3 in the title to start off her collegiate campaign with success. Moving over to doubles, Knutson and Salazar defeated Marika Cusick and Alexandra D'Ascenzo of Cornell 8-7(3), saving two match points before winning the title.
"We saw a lot of positive things out there," head coach Younes Limam said. "Gabriella did a fantastic job winning both her singles draw and doubles draw, partnered with Valeria. We are very pleased to see Valeria have that success coming off a leg surgery this past summer."
Freshmen Liba Mesh and Maria Tritou also had impressive showings in their first collegiate tournament, as Mesh won her bracket after finishing 3-1 over the weekend while Tritou made it all the way to the semifinals before a loss. Mesh defeated Nan Porter of Army 6-1, 6-3 for the win. Tritous was defeated by eventual runner-up Jane Stewart of Cornell 7-5, 6-2. Mesh's only loss was to Priyanka Shah, who beat Stewart in the championship round.
"It was a great weekend on several levels," Limam said. "Our three freshmen got their first taste of college tennis, and we got to grow together as a team at our first tournament."
Players Mentioned
Syracuse Tennis
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Syracuse Women's Tennis Court 3
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