CHARLESTON, S.C. – Florida women's tennis senior
Marlee Zein concluded a strong week of competition at the Intercollegiate Tennis Association Women's All-American Championship on Thursday afternoon.
For the weekend, Zein, who is ranked No. 64 in the ITA Preseason Singles Rankings, collected a single record of 3-2 with all victories coming against ranked opponents. During the qualifying rounds, Zein defeated No. 32 and seventh-seeded Cameron Morra of North Carolina, 2-1 (4-6, 7-5, 6-0), before overtaking No. 52 Anna Campana from Wake Forest, 2-0 (6-2, 6-4).
The senior punched her ticket to the main draw of the tournament after a rainy Wednesday, defeating Texas' Kylie Collins, who is ranked No. 67, in a three-set battle. After taking the first set, 7-5, the Longhorn stole a hard-fought second set, 5-7. Despite the setback, Zein ended the match with a dominant 6-0 performance in the third frame.
Zein's only two losses of the tournament came at the hands of highly-ranked competition, including No. 7 Irina Cantos Siemers on Wednesday evening. The Sugar Land, Texas, native battled with the Buckeye through the opening set, falling 5-7 before Siemers claimed the win with a 6-2 second set. In the main draw consolation round, Zein dropped a nail-biter to No. 28 Chloe Beck of Duke, 0-2 (6-7 (3), 6-7 (5)).
UP NEXT
Both Zein and
Carly Briggs will be back in action a week from today when they head to Lake Nona, Fla., for the ITA Regional Championships. The duo will compete in singles competition as well as hit the court as a doubles squad.
QUALIFYING SINGLES
No. 64
Marlee Zein def. No. 32 Cameron Morra (North Carolina): 4-6, 7-5, 6-0
No. 64
Marlee Zein def. No. 52 Anna Campana (Wake Forest): 6-2, 6-4
No. 48 Abigail Rencheli (NC State) def. No. 41
Carly Briggs: 6-2, 6-1
No. 64
Marlee Zein def. No. 67 Kylie Collins (Texas): 7-5, 5-7, 6-4
No. 34 Bronte Murgett (Missouri) def. No. 41
Carly Briggs: 6-4, 4-6, 7-6(4)
MAIN DRAW SINGLES
No. 7 Irina Cantos Siemers (Ohio State) def. No. 64
Marlee Zein: 7-5, 6-2
No. 28 Chloe Beck (Duke) def. No. 64
Marlee Zein: 7-6(3), 7-6(5)
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