Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
Freeman Memorial Invitational
Fresno State Freeman Finales
1/18/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
Jan. 18, 2009
FRESNO, Calif. - After a two-month winter hiatus, the Bulldogs hit the courts at full strength for the Freeman Memorial Invitational in Las Vegas, Nev., this weekend.
Fresno State's two doubles teams and five singles players amassed 21 wins in their 28 matches over the weekend, including two bracket championships.
"It was a very good weekend for us to get to play some quality teams," said head coach Simon Thibodeau. "It was not only good for our confidence but also to work on our game. It was a preparation tournament for the dual season that starts next week."
The nation's No. 2-ranked doubles team Anastasia Petukhova and Renata Kucerkova put an exclamation point on their ranking Sunday at the Freeman Memorial Invitational. The duo downed fifth-ranked Amanda McDowell and Irina Falconi of Georgia Tech, 8-5 in the semifinals for Flight A Doubles. Petukhova and Kucerkova continued to cruise through the tournament as they met Katrina Tsang and Shinann Featherston of North Carolina in the doubles final. The top-seeded Bulldogs downed the Tar Heels, 8-5.
"AP and Renata had a really good tournament," said Thibodeau. "They played some really good matches against some very good competition this weekend."
Tinesta Rowe also picked up a division title at the tournament, powering through the Flight B singles. Rowe was undefeated at the tournament, winning four matches on the weekend. The Bulldog took down Lindsay Kinstler of USC in the finals Sunday. The two appeared well-matched as they traded the first two sets, each winning 6-3. Rowe overcame Kinstler in the third, taking the set to a tie-break for the win.
"Tinesta played well to get those four wins this weekend," said Thibodeau. "I was really impressed with how she played."
The Bulldogs grabbed the consolation titles for both doubles and singles for Flight A as well. Kucerkova won the consolation final for Flight A, besting Taylor Ormond of Baylor. Ormond won the first set 2-6, but Kucerkova bounced back to win the second 6-1, before Ormond retired, granting Kucerkova the win.
Rowe and partner Melanie Gloria picked up big wins en route to winning the consolation bracket. The Bulldog duo downed the No. 3-ranked Lenka Broosova and Csilla Borsanyi of Baylor in the consolation semifinals, 9-8 (7-5). Gloria/Rowe grabbed the bracket title as the Arizona State team had to leave prior to the final match.
"This was a very good tournament for Melanie and Tinesta," said Thibodeau. "It was good to see them bouncing back and beating the No. 3 team in the nation."
The Bulldogs begin the dual season Saturday with a home match against St. Mary's at noon.
Flight B
Finals
Tinesta Rowe def. Lindsay Kinstler (USC), 6-3, 3-6 7-6 (7-5)
Consolation Flight A
Finals
Renata Kucerkova def. (4) Taylor Ormond (BU), 2-6, 6-1, Ret.
Flight A Doubles
Semifinals
(1)Anastasia Petukhova/Renata Kucerkova def. (3) Amanda McDowell/Irina Falconi (GT), 8-5
Finals
(1)Anastasia Petukhova/Renata Kucerkova def. (4) Katrina Tsang/Shinann Featherston (UNC), 8-5
Consolation Flight A Doubles
Semifinals
Melanie Gloria/Tinesta Rowe def (2) Lenka Broosova/Csilla Borsanyi (BU, 9-8 (7-5)
Finals
Melanie Gloria/ Tinesta Rowe def. Kelcy McKenna/Micaela Hein (ASU), Default
Additional Matches: Laura Pola (FS) def. Sasha Krupina (GT) 6-2, 6-2
