Women's Tennis Prepares For ITA/All American Championships
9/28/2006 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
Sept. 28, 2006
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - The Wake Forest women's tennis team will travel to the ITA/All-American Championships from Sept. 30 to Oct. 9 at the Riviera Club, in Los Angeles, Calif. The tournament consists of three rounds, a pre-qualifying draw, a qualifying draw and a main draw.
"The All-American Championships is a tournament to see where our players are on a national level," head coach Chad Skorupka said. "It's their time to shine."
The Demon Deacons have played in two of its five fall tournaments and have made a strong showing at each. At the St. Mary's Classic hosted by the University of Tennessee, the Demon Deacons advanced three players to the final rounds and one to the finals of the consolation draw. At the Deacon Classic, every singles player advanced to the finals of their respective draws.
"I am very pleased with the play in the first two fall tournament at the University of Tennessee and at the Deacon Classic," Skorupka said. "Our team goal this year is to make the Sweet 16 and we are making progress. We are playing better doubles, which is one area we really need to make an improvement."
Freshman Sasha Kulikova leads the Demon Deacons with a perfect 7-0 record this fall. A native of Moscow, Russia, she won the flight five singles draw at the St. Mary's Classic and the singles flight C at the Deacon Classic. In doubles, she has paired up with Christian Tara and won the second flight of the St. Mary's Classic and the consolation draw of the B flight at the Deacon Classic.
Junior Alex Hirsch has also performed well in singles, compiling a strong 6-1 record, playing at the top singles flights of both tournaments. In doubles, Hirsch and Sierra Poske advanced to the finals of both tournaments and won the Deacon Classic. In addition, Poske has advanced to the final singles rounds at both tournaments.
"Sasha is transitioning well to collegiate tennis and has an undefeated fall in singles to date," Skorupka said. "And Alex is off to a great start with her 6-1 mark. Sierra is playing really good tennis and is competing hard. She is playing great doubles with Alex."
In singles, Tara advanced to the finals of flight three at the St. Mary's Classic and won the B flight of the Deacon Classic. In the finals of the home tournament, she faced her teammate Ana Jerman. In addition to the finals of the Deacon Classic, Jerman advanced in the first round of the St. Mary's Classic but did not finish the tournament due to injury.
"Christian is playing better this fall after competing on the ITA collegiate summer circuit," Skorupka said. "Ana has been battling a lower back strain, but she should be ready to go in California. We are looking forward to her getting back on her game."
Seniors Ashlee Davis and junior Jenna Loeb and are also battling injuries and have not had the chance to compete at their full potential. Davis played in the St. Mary's Classic and won her first match, but did not play past it due to a shoulder strain. Loeb played in both tournaments, but is also in the process of rehabilitating her shoulder. Senior Christine Simpson is also out due to injury and has yet to play this fall.
"We are dealing with some injuries right now," Skorupka said. "Ashlee and Jenna are rehabbing their shoulders and Christine is out with a broken foot for six weeks. Like Ana, I expect that Ashlee will be ready to go in California."
Players Mentioned
