Bukina Advances to Main Draw of ITA Central Regionals

Oct. 19, 2005

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah– University of Kansas tennis freshman Ksenia Bukina won two rounds of qualifying play Wednesday, earning a birth in the main singles draw of the ITA Central Region Women’s Championships. With her victories, Bukina joins teammates Christine Skoda and Elizaveta Avdeeva in the main singles draw, which will begin play Thursday.

In the tournament’s opening round of qualifying play, Bukina topped Colorado’s Martina Sedevic, 6-4, 6-4, and then went on to defeat Jennifer Ryba of New Mexico, 6-1, 6-0, in the following round to advance.

Sophomore Lauren Hommell notched a victory in her opening round match, 6-2, 4-6, 10-6, over Alex Illie of Weber State, but was eliminated in the second round by Oklahoma’s Gabby Baker.

Junior Brittany Brown and freshman Edina Horvath were each eliminated from competition after dropping their first round matches.

“Ksenia played great today,” head Coach Amy Hall-Holt said. “Lauren lost in the second round to an extremely tough player, but I thought she did well today also.”

“It was a little tough getting used to the high altitude and playing indoors,” Hall-Holt added. “Everyone is getting better though, and were excited to see what we can do tomorrow.”

The Championships will resume tomorrow with action in both the main singles and doubles draws slated to take place.

Singles Qualifying Draw

-Round One:
Ksenia Bukina (Kansas) def. Martina Sedevic (Colorado), 6-4, 6-4
Lauren Hommell (Kansas) def. Alex Illie (Weber State), 6-2, 4-6, 10-6
Vanessa Heute (Nebraska) def Brittany Brown (Kansas), 6-4, 6-3
Franziska Jendrian (Colorado) def Edina Horvath (Kansas), 6-2, 6-2

-Round Two:
Ksenia Bukina (Kansas) def. Jennifer Ryba (New Mexico), 6-1, 6-0
Gabby Baker (Oklahoma) def. Lauren Hommell (Kansas) 6-1, 6-1

–CLICK HERE for updated tournament brackets, results and schedules-