Tran Shines For Lady Bulldogs In Tuscaloosa
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - Sophomore Naomi Tran led the Mississippi State Lady Bulldogs in the first day of the Roberta Alison Fall Classic with two consecutive singles victories, moving Tran to the championship round of her draw.
Tran began her successful day of play with first round victory in the Purple Draw, defeating Caroline Faught of UAB in an impressive 6-1, 6-3 decision. The native of Sydney, Australia continued her hot streak posting a 7-5, 6-4 triumph against Georgia Tech's Megan Kurey in the semifinal round of her bracket. Tran will compete for the championship title of her draw in tomorrow's competition.
The Lady Bulldogs kicked off the tournament with one round of doubles competition. Georgiana Patrasc and Tran fell 9-7 in the Black Draw to Samford's duo of Kristin Lewis and Lauren Caballero. Alexandra Perper and MSU newcomer Sarai Flores claimed the victory in their doubles match, defeating Maryna Kozachenko and Chaimaa Roudami of Georgia State 8-3 in the Bronze Draw.
Singles play began with Perper representing MSU in the Crimson Draw. Perper fell in the first round to Jasmine Minor of Georgia Tech in a 7-6(3), 6-1 decision. First round play continued as Patrasc took on Courtney Colton of Vanderbilt, falling 6-1, 6-1.
Unfortunately Naomi Tran claimed the first and only first round victory for the Lady Bulldogs as Lien Van Geel fell 6-3, 6-3 to Linn Timmermann of Georgia State. Freshman Sarai Flores followed with a 6-4, 7-6(6) loss to Vanderbilt's Maggie Leavell.
MSU completed the second round of singles competition 2-3, beginning with a 3-6, 6-2, 6-1 loss for Perper in the Consolation Semifinal to Maya Jansen of Alabama. Patrasc followed suit dropping her Consolation Semifinal match to Rachel Daniel of UAB 6-3, 6-1. Van Geel dropped her second round match to Plamena Kurteva of 6-0, 6-2, but Flores finished strong for the Lady Bulldogs, defeating UAB's Rachel Cohen 6-4, 6-0.
"Tran was definitely a highlight for us today. She played some great tennis," remarked Head Coach Daryl Greenan "The competition is strong out here and we are hoping for a strong finish tomorrow."
The Lady Bulldogs will be back in action Saturday to complete the tournament's remaining matches. Updates on Lady Bulldog play will be available through hailstate.com and @mstateWT.
MSU RESULTS AT THE ROBERTA ALISON FALL CLASSIC
October 5, 2012 - Auburn, Ala.
Black Draw -
Kristin Lewis/Lauren Caballero (Samford) def. Patrasc/Tran (Mississippi State) 9-7
Bronze Draw -
Perper/Flores (Mississippi State) def. Maryna Kozachenko/Chaimaa Roudami (Georgia State) 8-3
Crimson Draw -
Jasmine Minor (Georgia Tech) def. Alexandra Perper (Mississippi State) 7-6(3), 6-1
Maya Jansen (Alabama) def. Alexandra Perper (Mississippi State) 3-6, 6-2, 6-1
White Draw -
Courtney Colton (Vanderbilt) def. Georgiana Patrasc (Mississippi State) 6-1, 6-1
Rachel Daniel (UAB) def. Georgiana Patrasc (Mississippi State) 6-3, 6-1
Purple Draw -
Naomi Tran (Mississippi State) def. Caroline Faught (UAB) 6-1, 6-3
Naomi Tran (Mississippi State) def. Megan Kurey (Georgia Tech) 7-5, 6-4
Green Draw -
Linn Timmermann (Georgia State) def. Lien Van Geel (Mississippi State) 6-3, 6-3
Plamena Kurteva (Auburn) def. Lien Van Geel (Mississippi State) 6-0, 6-2
Pink Draw -
Maggie Leavell (Vanderbilt) def. Sarai Flores (Mississippi State) 6-4, 7-6(6)
Sarai Flores (Mississippi State) def. Rachel Cohen (UAB) 6-4, 6-0