Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
All-American Main Draw
Gloria Wins Two, Heads to ITA All-American Semis
10/6/2006 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
Oct. 6, 2006
FRESNO, Calif. - Trailing 5-2 in the second set, Fresno State sophomore Melanie Gloria showed why she is one of the top tennis players in the country. Gloria, ranked 19th, was a 6-3, 7-6 (5) winner over 10th-ranked Megan Moulton-Levy of William and Mary during the quarterfinals of the Intercollegiate Tennis Association's All-American, Friday in Pacific Palisades, Calif.
"Melanie just found ways to win today," said head coach Simon Thibodeau. "She didn't play her best game, but she stayed tough. It was definitely a good win for Melanie, beating a quick player like Moulton-Levy."
Gloria lost to Moulton-Levy during a dual match last season, but this time Gloria was determined to advance. Earlier in the day, Gloria defeated Katrina Tsang of North Carolina 6-2, 6-3.
It will be the first appearance for a Fresno State woman in the ITA All-American semifinals. The Bulldogs have been well represented in national tournaments recently. Last season, doubles duo Lucia Sainz and Katharina Winterhalter were finalists in both the All-American and the NCAA championships.
Gloria will face the country's top player, Audra Cohen of Miami, Saturday afternoon. Cohen defeated Gloria in straight sets in the NCAA team tournament round of 16. The other semifinalists are 2006 NCAA champion Suzi Babos of Cal and South Florida's Shadisha Robinson.
The Riviera/ITA All-American is college tennis' first major championship of the 2006-07 tennis season.
Stay tuned to gobulldogs.com for all of the Fresno State women's tennis action.
