Toran Ribes sweeps first day of Roberta Alison Fall Classic
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Kansas freshman Maria Toran Ribes went 3-0 on the first day of the 29th Roberta Alison Fall Classic Friday.
Toran Ribes paired with fellow freshman Tatiana Nikolaeva to defeat Georgina Axon and Taylor Russo of Auburn, 8-3. Toran Ribes continued the day going 2-0 in singles play with wins against DePaul’s Ana Vladutu, 6-2, 6-1, and Nami Otsuka of Georgia Tech, 6-1, 0-6, 6-4.
“(Friday) we learned and grew a lot as a team and as leaders and players,” said assistant coach Caroline Lilley. “We were pushed beyond our comfort zones, at times, which is right where we want to be. As we continue to compete we have to remember that every match is another opportunity to grow if we focus on the development process instead of the result.”
Toran Ribes will face West Alabama’s Amina Mukhametshina Saturday in the championship of the Becca Baum Singles Draw.
In her season debut, junior Summer Collins started the day with a mixed doubles win. Collins paired with Catherine Ragon of UAB to defeat Marine Catier and Brankica Orlovic of Alabama State, 8-2. Collins was not able to top Sara Lizariturry of Mississippi State on the singles court and lost a tough three-set match, 4-6, 7-6 (2), 6-2.
After her doubles win with Toran Ribes, Nikolaeva dropped singles matches to Mississippi State’s Lisa Rious, 7-5, 6-4, and Natalie Suk of Ole Miss, 6-2, 6-0.
“We have made a lot of strides this fall and will only continue to see unprecedented improvement as we learn to welcome and relish adversity,” said Lilley. “Saturday is another great opportunity to play aggressive tennis while competing with passion and fight.”
The Jayhawks will continue play on Saturday.
Day 1 Results
Doubles
Nikolaeva/Toran Ribes (KU) def. Axon/Russo (AU) – 8-3
Ragon (UAB)/Collins (KU) def. Catier/Orlovic (ASU) – 8-2
Singles
Sara Lizariturry (MSU) def. Summer Collins (KU) – 4-6, 7-6 (2), 6-2
Maria Toran Ribes (KU) def. Ana Vladutu (DePaul) – 6-2, 6-1
Maria Toran Ribes (KU) def. Nami Otsuka (GTU) – 6-1, 0-6, 6-4
Lisa Rioux (MSU) def. Tatiana Nikolaeva (KU) – 7-5, 6-4
Natalie Suk (Ole Miss) def. Tatiana Nikolaeva (6-2, 6-0)
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