ZHELTOVA COMPLETES MAIN DRAW PLAY AT ITA/RIVERIA ALL-AMERICA CHAMPIONSHIPS

10/4/2008

PACIFIC PALISADES, Calif. - Hornet junior Katrina Zheltova was one of 32 players to compete in the main draw of the 2008 ITA/Riviera All-American Championships on October 2-4 at Riviera Tennis Club in Pacific Palisades, Calif.

Zheltova, who earned NCAA All-American status last season after making it to the round of 16 at the NCAA Singles Tournament, took on Georgia Tech freshman Irina Falconi in the first round, falling 6-4, 6-0.

The main draw (Oct. 2-5) of the tournament is preceded by two sets of qualifying tournaments. The women’s 64-player pre-qualifying tournament took place Sept. 27-28, with eight players advancing to the 64-player qualifying tournaments (Sept. 30-Oct. 1). Eight players then advance from the qualifying tournament to the main draw with the 24 at-large selections, which included Zheltova, who was ranked as the No. 21 player in the nation in the ITA's preseason rankings.

The event is the premier hard court tournament of the fall collegiate season which features the top players in Div. I.

After falling to Falconi, Zheltova moved to the main consolation draw, where she took on Julia Cohen of Miami. Cohen, who is ranked No. 25 in the ITA preseason rankings, and Zheltova battled, with the Hurricane sophomore pulling out a 7-6 (6), 6-3 victory.

The Hornets' women's tennis team and Zheltova will continue their fall season on October 10-12, as they take part in the Saint Mary's College invitational.