Oct. 10, 2008

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- With intermittent rain stalling play Friday at the UNF Fall Invitational, the UAB women's tennis team managed to squeeze in one round of singles and one round of doubles.

After a pair of losses in the morning doubles, the Blazers rebounded to post a 2-2 record in singles action. UAB is playing in its first tournament since the Stony Brook Classic in September.

"I saw a lot of improvement from our tournament three weeks ago," UAB head coach Krissy Hall said. "I see us getting better every time we take the court in singles."

Evelien Strijker advanced in the A Singles flight with a straight-set victory over Breanna Atkinson of Stetson, and Jenny Cape moved on in the B Singles main draw with a straight-set victory over Stetson's Natalie Gorham.

Giorgia Romeo (A Singles) and Ceylan Engin (C Singles) both lost their opening round matches but will continue play Saturday in consolation brackets. After dropping a 6-1 first set in her match, Romeo fought back to force a third set before eventually losing in a tiebreaker.

"Evelien and Jenny have put themselves in good position to do well in their draws," Hall said. "Giorgia and Ceylan will have another chance to get out there tomorrow, and they both have specific things they are going to work on in their consolation matches."

Romeo also found herself on the short end after a comeback in the B Doubles bracket. She and Engin fought back from a 7-1 deficit in their match before eventually falling, 8-6, to Valecia Kendrick and Stacey Lopez of Bethune-Cookman.

In the A Doubles draw, Cape and Strijker partnered in an 8-3 loss to East Tennessee State's Tara Byrne and Karina Kedzo.

Play continues Saturday at the UNF Fall Invitational with a revised schedule because of the rain. Tournament draw sheets are available on the UNF Invitational homepage at www.unfospreys.com.

Friday Singles Results

Giorgia Romeo -- A Singles (Rd. 1)
Lost to Maria Vallasciani (Florida International); 1-6, 7-5, 7-6 (4)

Evelien Strijker -- A Singles (Rd. 1)
Defeated Breanna Atkinson (Stetson); 6-4, 6-3

Jenny Cape -- B Singles (Rd. 1)
Defeated Natalie Gorham (Stetson); 6-4, 6-2

Ceylan Engin -- C Singles (Rd. 1)
Lost to Nikita Van Lierop (North Florida); 6-4, 6-2

Friday Doubles Results

Cape/Strijker -- A Doubles (Rd. 1)
Lost to Tara Byrne/Karina Kedzo (East Tennessee State); 8-3

Engin/Romeo -- B Doubles (Rd. 1)
Lost to Valecia Kendrick/Stacey Lopez (Bethune-Cookman); 8-6