Kennesaw State University Athletics

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Ayano Tanaka won two matches and was forced to retire after sustaining an injury in the quarterfinals of the 2009 ITA Collegiate Summer Circuit at the Ring Tennis Complex at the University of Florida.

Tanaka won her first two matches in three-set, tiebreakers against Daniella Cell in the first round and West Virginia’s Ashley Pilsbury in the second round. The Kennesaw State rising-junior took both matches by identical scores of 6-2, 3-6, (2).

“Ayano’s performance is pleasing and it looks as if she is getting back on track for the upcoming season,” said Kennesaw State head coach Brandon Padgett.

In the quarterfinals, Tanaka dropped the first set to No. 8-seed Maria Belaya, the eventual tournament championship, and led 4-1 in the second set before suffering an injury and was forced to retire after leading 4-3 in the second set.

“I’m excited to see our student-athletes playing this level of competition in preparation of the upcoming season,” commented Padgett. “Events like this should better prepare us for a push for the A-Sun championship.”

In other matches featuring Kennesaw State student-athletes, Morgan Carney won her first round match as she defeated Kentucky’s Jennifer Stone before losing to Lindsay Dvorak of Tulane, 6-2, 6-4. Mackenzie Swindall lost in straight sets to No. 5-seed Connor Vogel of Tennessee.

“Morgan played well in her two matches,” added Padgett. “We expect a lot out of her this season and if she can play at this level consistency she will be a great asset to our squad.”

In doubles action, Carney and Swindall lost in the first round to a pair of West Virginia players Pilsbury and Gabriela Blaskovicova while Tanaka and KSU incoming freshman Iesha Holton lost to Maria Belaya and Georgia Tech’s Hilary Davis, 8-4.  

2009 ITA Collegiate Summer Circuit
at Ring Tennis Complex, University of Florida
Gainesville, Fla.

Singles

First Round
Ayano Tanaka def. Daniella Cell, 6-2, 3-6, 10-2
Morgan Carney def. Jennifer Stone, 4-2, ret.
Connor Vogel def. Mackenzie Swindall 6-1, 6-0
Morgan Frank def. Iesha Holton 6-2, 6-0

Second Round
Ayano Tanaka def. Ashley Pilsbury 6-2, 3-6, 10-2
Lindsay Dvorak def. Morgan Carney 6-2, 6-4

Quarterfinals
Maria Belaya def. Ayano Tanaka 6-0, 3-4 ret.

Doubles

First Round
Gabriela Blaskovicova/Ashley Pilsbury def. Morgan Carney/Mackenzie Swindall 8-3
Belaya/Hilary Davis def. Ayano Tanaka/Iesha Holton 8-4