Wednesday, October 18
Philadelphia, Penn.
Syracuse University
at
ITA Northeast Regionals
Knutson Wins Singles Title at ITA Northeast Regional
10/23/2017 4:06:00 PM | Tennis
The Orange competed in singles and doubles matches at the ITA Northeast Regional Championships
SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Junior Gabriela Knutson led the Orange to victory at the ITA Northeast Regionals, defeating Princeton's Stephanie Schrage, 6-4, 6-2, for the Singles title. This marks the third year in a row that a Syracuse athlete has won the Singles title (Valeria Salazar – 2016, Anna Shkudun – 2015).
"We are pleased and proud of all the hard work that the ladies are putting in on and off the court," said head coach Younes Limam. "We look forward to a strong finish to the fall season."
Three Syracuse singles players had byes while Maria Tritou, Libi Mesh and Dina Hegab all competed in the round of 128.Tritou and Mesh advanced to the round of 64, winning their matches 6-1, 6-2, and 2-6, 6-3, 6-3, respectively, before facing defeat in the round of 32. Hegab fell in the round of 128, 2-6, 4-6, to Olaya Inclan Solis from St. John's.
After a first-round bye, Shkudun posted a win in the round of 64 (7-5, 6-3) but came up just short in a three-set battle to Columbia's Jennifer Kerr, 3-6, 6-3, 6-1, in the round of 32.
Miranda Ramirez recorded the second strongest showing for the Orange, competing her way through the tournament to the semifinals on Sunday. The sophomore was battle-tested before she got there after playing a tough three-set match in the quarterfinals that she won, 2-6, 6-2, 6-2. Despite a valiant effort, Ramirez lost in the semis to Schrage 6-4, 4-6, 6-2.
"Miranda did a great job as well by reaching the semifinals and competing extremely hard," said Limam. "I am sure it will propel her as well as her teammates to go even further next year."
Knutson eased into the tournament with a bye and a match shortened by an opponent injury in the round of 64. Following that, the junior went on to defeat her opponents in two sets every match, including a 6-0, 6-1 win over Yale's Samantha Martinelli in the semifinals. Knutson faced Schrage in the Finals and posted another two-set match victory.
"Big congrats to Gabi, winning six matches in a row without dropping a set against quality players is very tough to do," said Limam. "She has always been a great ball striker, but now she is stronger physically and mentally, and that is a great recipe for success."
The Orange sent the doubles pairings of Knutson and Shkudun, Mesh and Hegab, and Ramirez and Tritou to the Regional Championships. All three duos advanced to the round of 32 before falling to the opposition to end their doubles day.
Overall, 128 players from 42 different universities competed at the ITA Northeast Regionals this past weekend.
The tennis team is back in action beginning Nov. 1 when select players will compete at the ITA National Fall Championships in Indian Wells, California. The rest of the team will compete closer to home at the Harvard Invitational starting on Nov. 3.
For complete coverage of Syracuse tennis, follow us on Facebook (Syracuse Women's Tennis), Twitter (@Cuse_Tennis) and Instagram (@CuseTennis).
"We are pleased and proud of all the hard work that the ladies are putting in on and off the court," said head coach Younes Limam. "We look forward to a strong finish to the fall season."
Three Syracuse singles players had byes while Maria Tritou, Libi Mesh and Dina Hegab all competed in the round of 128.Tritou and Mesh advanced to the round of 64, winning their matches 6-1, 6-2, and 2-6, 6-3, 6-3, respectively, before facing defeat in the round of 32. Hegab fell in the round of 128, 2-6, 4-6, to Olaya Inclan Solis from St. John's.
After a first-round bye, Shkudun posted a win in the round of 64 (7-5, 6-3) but came up just short in a three-set battle to Columbia's Jennifer Kerr, 3-6, 6-3, 6-1, in the round of 32.
Miranda Ramirez recorded the second strongest showing for the Orange, competing her way through the tournament to the semifinals on Sunday. The sophomore was battle-tested before she got there after playing a tough three-set match in the quarterfinals that she won, 2-6, 6-2, 6-2. Despite a valiant effort, Ramirez lost in the semis to Schrage 6-4, 4-6, 6-2.
"Miranda did a great job as well by reaching the semifinals and competing extremely hard," said Limam. "I am sure it will propel her as well as her teammates to go even further next year."
Knutson eased into the tournament with a bye and a match shortened by an opponent injury in the round of 64. Following that, the junior went on to defeat her opponents in two sets every match, including a 6-0, 6-1 win over Yale's Samantha Martinelli in the semifinals. Knutson faced Schrage in the Finals and posted another two-set match victory.
"Big congrats to Gabi, winning six matches in a row without dropping a set against quality players is very tough to do," said Limam. "She has always been a great ball striker, but now she is stronger physically and mentally, and that is a great recipe for success."
The Orange sent the doubles pairings of Knutson and Shkudun, Mesh and Hegab, and Ramirez and Tritou to the Regional Championships. All three duos advanced to the round of 32 before falling to the opposition to end their doubles day.
Overall, 128 players from 42 different universities competed at the ITA Northeast Regionals this past weekend.
The tennis team is back in action beginning Nov. 1 when select players will compete at the ITA National Fall Championships in Indian Wells, California. The rest of the team will compete closer to home at the Harvard Invitational starting on Nov. 3.
For complete coverage of Syracuse tennis, follow us on Facebook (Syracuse Women's Tennis), Twitter (@Cuse_Tennis) and Instagram (@CuseTennis).
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