Florida Gators
Riviera/ITA All-American Championships PQ Day 2
Two Gators Play Their Way to Qualifying Draw
Monday, September 29, 2014 | Women's Tennis
University of Florida freshman Josie Kuhlman closed her pre-qualifying run with a win to earn a spot in the singles qualifying draw of the Riviera/ITA Women's All-American Championships in California Sunday. Additionally, Kuhlman and fellow rookie Peggy Porter advanced to the qualifying doubles draw.
“We played great tennis from the start in doubles,” said head coach Roland Thornqvist. “I really like the pace with which we play from the baseline. It enables us to be very creative at the net.”
Kuhlman and Porter teamed up to take down Lana Groenvyck and Pippa Horn of Texas, 8-3. Kuhlman, a Ponte Vedra, Florida, native, defeated Kate Vialle of UNC, 4-2, retired, to claim her spot in the singles qualifying line up.
“Josie [Kuhlman] played well, but unfortunately her match was cut short due to her opponent's injury,” Thornqvist added.
Both Kuhlman and Porter will join Brooke Austin, Kourtney Keegan and Brianna Morgan in qualifying action on Tuesday, September 30. Austin and Keegan will partake in the singles event. Austin and Morgan will pair up to participate in doubles play.
2014 Riviera/ITA Women's All-American Championships
Pre-qualifying Results – UF Only
Singles
First Round
Josie Kuhlman (Florida) def. [9-16] Neda Koprcina (Texas), 4-6, 6-0, 6-0
Gabrielle Smith (USC) def. [3] Belinda Woolcock (UF), 6-1, 6-4
Anna Mamalat (Texas A&M) def. Spencer Liang (UF), 6-1, 6-4
Lucia Butkovksa (Portland) def. Peggy Porter (UF), 6-3, 6-2
Second Round
Josie Kuhlman (Florida) def. Marie Faure (Virginia), 6-3, 6-4
Third Round
Josie Kuhlman (Florida) def. Kate Vialle (North Carolina), 4-2 ret.
Doubles
First Round
Porter/Kuhlman (UF) def. Magill/Wiley (UCLA), 8-2
Second Round
Porter/Kuhlman (UF) def. Groenvyck/Horn (Texas), 8-3
NEED TO KNOW INFO ON THE RIVIERA:
The Riviera Tennis Club in Pacific Palisades, CA, 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, is set to begin on Saturday, September 27 with pre-qualifying singles and doubles matches, which will once again be 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:
Pre-qualifying features a singles draw of 64 and a doubles draw of 32. Each player or doubles pair must win three rounds in order to advance to the qualifying draw; a total of eight singles players and four doubles duos move on to qualifying from pre-qualifying play. The qualifying rounds are also 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 and Kourtney Keegan earned a spot in the singles qualifying draw
• Belinda Woolcock is No. 4 on the qualifying singles draw alternate list
• Josie Kuhlman, Spencer Liang, Peggy Porter and Woolcock kick off Riviera action in pre-qualifying singles
• Keegan & Woolcock received an automatic berth into the doubles main draw
• Austin & Morgan have been selected to the qualifying doubles list
• Kuhlman and Porter will compete in pre-qualifying doubles
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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