Pitt
ITA Regionals
Blakely and Ogungbesan Advance in Doubles at ITA Atlantic Regional
10/19/2014 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
Updated ITA Atlantic Regional Bracket
BLACKSBURG, Va. - For the second consecutive day, the doubles duo of Audrey Ann Blakely and Lolade Ogungbesan won a thrilling 8-7(5) doubles match and have now advanced to the quarterfinals of the ITA Atlantic Regional main draw hosted by Virginia Tech.
The eighth-seeded duo outlasted Virginia Tech's tandem of Butler/Nandakumar in a tie-break and will now take on VCU's Kvitishivilli/Barsheuskaya on Monday with a trip to the Final Four of this prestigious tournament on the line.
"Audrey Ann and Lolade have been growing in every match they've played," head coach Alex Santos said. "Today was another battle of nerves and once again they were able to stay poised and advance."
Blakely and Ogungbesan will be in action tomorrow and if they win, the semis and finals are set for Tuesday in Blacksburg.
All seven Panthers also participated in consolation singles as Ogungbesan, Blakely, Katherine Castro and Amber Washington picked up victories.
The Panthers were 4-3 in singles and all four victories came in straight sets. Ogungbesan and Blakely continued their momentum from doubles as Ogungbesan defeated Nataliya Bredikhina of Maryland 7-5, 6-3, while Blakely topped Ivana Vukovic of Old Dominion 6-4, 6-3.
Castro recorded her second singles win of the weekend with a 6-4, 6-3 triumph over Brittney Yeng of Liberty, while Washington also notched her second win of the weekend as she defeated Sarah Kahn of James Madison, 6-3, 6-2.
"I was very happy with Audrey Ann's and Lolade's singles matches as both rebounded after tough losses with great competitiveness and fight. Audrey Ann played a mature aggressive match and Lolade perfected the little things that will keep helping her to grow. I was also happy to see Katherine stepping up to the occasion and taking ownership of her game. Amber played one of the most intelligent matches that I've seen so far and if she commits to her talent she will accomplish special things."
Continue to check back with www.PittsburghPanthers.com for updates of the ITA Atlantic Regional and be sure to follow @PittTennis on Twitter.
Singles:
Audrey Ann Blakely (Pitt) def. Ivana Vukovic (Old Dominion), 6-4, 6-3
Lolade Ogungbesan (Pitt) def. Nataliya Bredikhina (Maryland), 7-5, 6-3
Katherine Castro (Pitt) def. Brittney Yeng (Liberty), 6-4, 6-3
Amber Washington (Pitt) def. Sarah Kahn (James Madison), 6-3, 6-2
Julia Casselbury (William & Mary) def. Callie Frey (Pitt), 6-4, 6-3
Dylan Owen (James Madison) def. Amanda Wickman (Pitt), 4-6, 6-3, 7-6(5)
Belen Rivera (Liberty) def. Molly Wickman (Pitt), 6-4, 6-4
Doubles:
Blakely/Ogungbesan (Pitt) def. Butler/Nandakumar (Virginia Tech), 8-7(5)
