Jayhawks sweep the first day of ITA Central Regionals
Minneapolis, Minn. – Kansas tennis was flawless on the first day of the ITA Central Regional Championship Presented by Oracle going 6-0 on the singles’ courts at the Baseline Tennis Center.
Freshman Maria Toran Ribes and sophomore Nina Khmelnitckaia started Thursday off with a pair of victories. Toran Ribes topped Ekaterina Donetskova of Missouri State (6-1, 6-4). Khmelnitckaia fought back after a first set loss to defeat Oklahoma’s Malene Stripp (4-6, 6-2, 7-5).
Shortly after, sophomore Anastasia Rychagova followed with a win over Verginie Tchakarova of Saint Louis (6-2, 6-1).
“We definitely got better (Thursday),” said head coach Todd Chapman. “Not necessarily because we were 6-0 on the day, but because we were pushed in some uncomfortable positions. We didn’t necessarily play our best tennis at times, but I thought we responded in the tough moments.”
Later in the day, Janet Koch and Tatiana Nikolaeva also notched wins. Koch defeated Summer Brills of Drake (6-0, 7-6(5)). Nikolaeva battled out a tough three set match to top Tulsa’s Martha Matoula (6-7(4), 7-6(5), 6-3).
Finishing out the round of 128, senior Tess Bernard-Feigenbaum completed the Jayhawk sweep by defeating Mahitha Dadireddy of Tulsa (6-3, 7-5).
“(Friday) will be another tough day,” said Chapman, “so we have to rest up and prepare.”
The Jayhawks will continue singles play Friday, October 14 with Toran Ribes, Khmelnitckaia and Rychagova starting at 11:30. Koch and Rychagova will kick off doubles play at 8:00 a.m. Friday against Montana Crawford and Carin Runefelt of Iowa.
Day 1 Results
Singles
Maria Toran Ribes (KU) def. Ekaterina Donetskova (MSU) – 6-1, 6-4
Nina Khmelnitckaia (KU) def. Malene Stripp (OU) – 4-6, 6-2, 7-5
Anastasia Rychagova (KU) def. Verginie Tchakarova (SLU) – 6-2, 6-1
Janet Koch (KU) def. Summer Brills (DU) – 6-0, 7-6 (5)
Tatiana “Tanya” Nikolaeva (KU) def. Martha Matoula (UT) – 6-7 (4), 7-6 (5), 6-3
Tess Bernard-Feigenbaum (KU) def. Mahitha Dadireddy (UT) – 6-3, 7-5
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