Liina Suurvarik and Alesia Mikalayeva are showing how its done at the Lobo Invite, and have yet to be defeated. The Missouri Valley Conference Championship team has put forth an impressive performance all around.
In singles, Liina Suurvarik defeated Air Forces Katie Tomkie (6-1, 6-1), and then New Mexicos Tiffany Robertson (6-4, 6-4). Meanwhile, Alesia Mikalayeva was putting away Kristen Jones of AFA (7-5, 6-2), and then Rachel Hatley of UNM (7-5, 6-2).
Also starting the morning off right, ISUs Tatyana Ugorich beat AFAs Gina Black (6-4, 6-2), Alana Hoffman of ISU beat AFAs Kelli OBryant (6-1, 6-0), and ISUs Laura Gravino beat AFAs Laura Nigro (6-2, 5-7,6-1).
All three girls lost their second matches of the day, and will compete in the singles consolation championship bracket.
The Birds who did not start off with wins, came back in their second matches.
ISUs Shelby Lipson lost her first match to AFAs Ashley Gee (6-2, 6-1), but then beat Alysia Camel of AFA (6-1, 6-2), and Elizabeth Bingier of ISU, who also lost her first match, came back in her second match to beat Northern Arizonas Michelle Mohr (6-3, 6-3).
In doubles, the team of Suurvarik/Mikalayeva received a bye first round, making it a day without defeat for both team members.
ISUs team of Ugorich/Lipson lost to NAUs de Waal/Kmiec (8-3), and partners Hoffman/Gravino of ISU lost to NAUs Mohr/Balk (8-4). Both teams will now compete in the consolation championship bracket.
The 13th Annual Coors Light Lobo Invite will continue Saturday morning at 8:30 a.m. (10:30 a.m. cst) at the Lobo Tennis Club in Albuquerque, NM.
