ORLANDO - This past week, a pair of Knights started their fall campaigns at the ITA All-American Championships in Cary, North Carolina. The tournament was the first of three qualifying opportunities for the NCAA Individual Championships.
Below is a day-by-day breakdown of all the action in Cary.
- Friday: Biolay Splits Pair of Consolation Matches
Biolay capitalized off a strong first round to take her second in two days with a three-set thriller over Virginia's Xu, 6-3, 4-6, 6-2. After a commanding first set, the French native replicated the performance in the third to move on to the third round.
In an all-Big 12 matchup, Biolay couldn't find any momentum against Oklahoma's Alina Shcherbinina, exiting the tournament, 6-2, 6-2.
- Thursday: Biolay Bounces Back in Consolation Round
After a difficult first-round contest in Cary, Biolay responded well in her first consolation match, dominating Florida's Emily De Oliveira from strat to finish, 6-2, 6-0. The French native broke the senior early and often, capping it off with a strong 6-0 performance in the second set.
Biolay will now meet Virginia's Annabelle Xu, who fell in the main draw second round in three sets, Friday afternoon.
Wednesday: Biolay Falls in the Opening Round of Qualifying
Making her debut in the main draw, Biolay couldn't get off the ground against UCLA's Bianca Fernandez, dropping the first-round bout, 6-2, 6-0.
- Tuesday: Tilbuerger Exits All-Americans in Consolation Round
After a difficult result yesterday, Jantje Tilbuerger dropped a tough first-set tiebreaking before losing to North Carolina State's Maddy Zampardo, 7-6(4), 6-1.
Attention now moves towards tomorrow as Sophia Biolay will begin action in the main draw.
- Monday: Tilbuerger Falls in Qualifying Round
It was an all-german matchup in the first round of qualifying as Jantje Tilbuerger dropped a tight match against Houston newcomer Santa Strombacha, 7-6(5), 6-4. The Santa Clara transfer was able to pull ahead in the first-set tiebreak and eventually break Tilbuerger early in the second to secure the win.
RESULTS
Qualifying (Singles)
Santa Strombacha (Houston) def. Jantje Tilbuerger (UCF): 7-6(5), 6-4
Qualifying Consolation (Singles)
Maddy Zampardo (NC State) def. Jantje Tilbuerger (UCF): 7-6(5), 6-4
Main Draw (Singles)
Bianca Fernandez (UCLA) def. Sophia Biolay (UCF): 6-2, 6-0
Main Draw Consolation (Singles)
Sophia Biolay (UCF) def. Emily De Oliveira (Florida): 6-2, 6-0
Sophia Biolay (UCF) def. Annabelle Xu (Virginia): 6-3, 4-6, 6-2
Alina Shcherbinina (Oklahoma) def. Sophia Biolay (UCF): 6-2, 6-2