Cardona Falls In Quarterfinals of ITA Regionals

Oct. 21, 2012

Main Singles Draw

TULSA, Okla. – Kansas freshman Maria Jose Cardona fell in the quarterfinals of the main singles draw Sunday at the ITA Regional Championships, hosted by the University of Tulsa.

Cardona lost to Hermon Brhane of Oklahoma, 6-4, 6-1, after winning her first three matches of the tournament.

“(Cardona) competed hard, but she was just somewhat fatigued today,” head coach Amy Hall-Holt said. “She fought and fought, and I know it probably wasn’t her best game that she played all week. She’s a good little fighter and she beat several top-ranked players over the weekend.”

Cardona defeated Nebraska’s Makie Zeppernick, 7-6(6), 6-1, in the opening round before battling past Sarah McLean of Arkansas in round two on Friday, 2-6, 7-5, 6-1. She then defeated Wichita State’s Lucia Kovalova in Saturday’s round of 16, 6-2, 6-4.

“We’re just so excited for what the future holds for her and for the Jayhawks,” Hall-Holt said.

Sophomore Maria Belen Ludueña was the only other Kansas player to win an ITA Regionals singles match. On Friday, she defeated Nebraska’s Izabella Zgierska in the first round, 6-1, 6-0, before losing in round two to third-seeded Whitney Ritchie of Oklahoma, 6-2, 7-6(5).

Ludueña and Cardona also advanced past the first round of the main doubles draw, defeating Rebecca Pedrazzi and Carla Venticinque of Wichita State, 8-1, before losing to top-seeded Oklahoma State duo of Kanyapat Narrattana and Malika Rosa, 8-5, in the second round.

Sunday Results of the ITA Regional Championships

Brhane (OU) def. Cardona (KU) 6-4, 6-1