Florida Gators
Riviera/ITA All-American Championships Qualifying Day 1
Gator Rookies Shine At Riviera/ITA All-American Championships Qualifying
Wednesday, October 1, 2014 | Women's Tennis
Following the first day of Riviera/ITA All-American Championships at the Riviera Tennis Center Tuesday, two Gator freshmen are vying for spots in main draw singles action.
Brooke Austin and Josie Kuhlman each won two of three singles matches needed to earn one of eight spots available for the main draw of the national event considered the first of the collegiate grand slam.
Austin defeated No. 30-ranked Krista Hardebeck of Stanford, 6-2, 7-6(4) in her first-round match. Kuhlman topped No. 46 Stephanie Vlad of Arizona State in straight sets, 6-0, 6-3, to start the day. Neither freshmen were fazed by their ranked opponents as they continued to upset their matchups in round two. Austin dropped the first set, but went on to defeat No. 45 Erin Routliffe of Alabama, 6-7 (4), 6-1, 6-2. Kuhlman remained on top of her game and defeated Texas' No. 81-ranked Ratnika Batra, 6-2, 6-4.
“Brooke and Josie pulled out a couple of big wins in their second matches,” said associate head coach Dave Balogh. “Kourtney had a nice win this morning, but she just got beat by a better player from California this afternoon.”
Kourtney Keegan earned a win in round one over No. 35 Caroline Price of UNC, but her progress through the draw was halted when she fell to No. 43 Maegan Manasse of California.
Kuhlman found success on the doubles court as well with fellow Gator rookie Peggy Porter as the tandem took down No. 50 Anja Cosovic and Trang Huynh of Troy, 6-0, 7-6 (3). Austin and Gator junior Brianna Morgan fell to No. 22 Julia Elbaba and Stephanie Nauta of Virginia in round one doubles, 7-6 (7), 6-4.
“Josie and Peggy continue to play well in doubles,” Balogh stated. “We've got a big day tomorrow and we're looking forward to seeing how we compete on day two in the hopes of getting into the main draw.”
Austin will face No. 63 Courtney Colton of Vanderbilt in her pursuit of a spot in main draw singles. Kuhlman is matched up against No. 22-ranked and No. 2-seeded Taylor Davidson of Stanford. Porter and Kuhlman will continue doubles play with a second round match versus San Jose State's No. 46 Marie Klocker and Gaelle Rey.
Complete Singles and Doubles Qualifying Draws Available
2014 Riviera/ITA All-American Championships Qualifying
Day One Results – UF Only
SINGLES
Round One
Brooke Austin (UF) def. No. 30 Krista Hardebeck (Stanford) [9-16], 6-2, 7-6(4)
No. 51 Kourtney Keegan (UF) def. No. 35 Caroline Price (UNC) [9-16], 7-5, 6-3
Josie Kuhlman (UF) [Q] def. No. 46 Stephanie Vlad (Arizona State), 6-0, 6-3
Round Two
Brooke Austin (UF) def. No. 45 Erin Routliffe (Alabama), 6-7(4), 6-1, 6-2
No. 43 Maegan Manasse (Cal.) def. No. 51 Kourtney Keegan (UF), 6-1, 6-1
Josie Kuhlman (UF) [Q] def. No. 81 Ratnika Batra (Texas), 6-2, 6-4
DOUBLES
Round One
No. 22 Julia Elbaba/Stephanie Nauta (Virginia) [4] def. Brooke Austin/Brianna Morgan (UF), 7-6(7), 6-4
Peggy Porter/Josie Kuhlman (UF) [Q] def. No. 50 Anja Cosovic/Trang Huynh (Troy), 6-0, 7-6(3)
2014 Riviera/ITA All-American Championships Qualifying
Day Two Pairings – UF Only
SINGLES
Round Three
Brooke Austin (UF) vs. No. 63 Courtney Colton (Vanderbilt)
Josie Kuhlman (UF) [Q] vs. No. 22 Taylor Davidson (Stanford) [2]
DOUBLES
Round Two
Peggy Porter/Josie Kuhlman (UF) [Q] vs. No. 46 Marie Klocker/Gaelle Rey (SJSU)
NEED TO KNOW INFO ON THE RIVIERA:
The Riviera Tennis Club in Pacific Palisades, Calif., will again serve as the host site for the Riviera/ITA Women's All-American Championships. The national championship, considered the first leg of the collegiate grand slam, began on Saturday, September 27 with pre-qualifying singles and doubles matches, which was hosted by UCLA. Qualifying competition will be held September 30-October 1 and main draw action is slated for Thursday, October 2-Sunday, October 5 at the Riviera Tennis Club.
HOW IT WORKS:
The qualifying rounds are comprised of a singles draw of 64 and a doubles draw of 32. Just as with pre-qualifying, a singles player or doubles tandem must win three consecutive matches to stay alive and move into the main draw. Eight spots in the singles main draw are reserved for qualifiers, while the doubles main draw will feature four teams from qualifying.
GATORS SELECTED FOR RIVIERA/ITA ALL-AMERICAN:
• Brianna Morgan received an automatic berth into the singles main draw
• Brooke Austin, Kourtney Keegan and Josie Kuhlman earned a spot in the singles qualifying draw
• Belinda Woolcock is No. 4 on the qualifying singles draw alternate list
• Austin & Morgan have been selected to the qualifying doubles list
• Kuhlman and Peggy Porter advanced through pre-qualifying doubles and earned a spot in the qualifying draw
WHAT'S AT STAKE:
Singles semifinalists, doubles finalists and consolation champions will receive automatic entry into the USTA/ITA National Indoor Intercollegiate Championships November 6-9 in Flushing, New York.
FOLLOWING THE ACTION:
Follow the ITA on Twitter for updates and news from California, or search for the hashtag #RivieraITA to find other tweets from those tweeting about the Riviera/ITA Women's All-American Championships. Check out the ITA Facebook page or the 2014 All-American Championships Tournament Hub for more updates.
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