Vanessa Petrini Advances to Quarterfinals at ITA Regionals
Oct 23 | Women's Tennis
NEW HAVEN, Conn. (October 23, 2011) - Sophomore Vanessa Petrini (Stamford, Conn.) has advanced to the singles quarterfinal round of the 2011 USTA/ITA Division I Women's Northeast Regional Championship at Yale University, becoming the first Scarlet Knight to advance that far in a regional championship in RU women's tennis history.
"She has played three quality opponents and has played outstanding, aggressive and disciplined tennis," said ninth-year head coach Ben Bucca. "I am just as happy as can be for her performance and the way she is representing Rutgers University."
Petrini - who had a bye in the first round - opened up the tournament outlasting Pui Wing Sher, the top player from Seton Hall, 7-6 (6), 7-6 (5). The sophomore then went the distance against No. 15 Bianca Sanon (Columbia), winning 1-6, 7-6 (4), 6-3 to continue on in the bracket.
In the round of 16, Petrini defeated No. 4 Alex Kelleher, Boston College's top player, in straight sets, 6-2, 6-4, to advance to the quarterfinals.
The tournament seeded the top 16 players into the bracket with numbers 17 through 32 being placed alphabetically into the field. Petrini was assigned to the latter category.
Petrini now awaits her time and opponent for Monday morning. Full tournament results can be found at yalebulldogs.com.
In doubles play, the pairings of senior Jennifer Holzberg (Easton, Conn.)/Petrini and senior Morgan Ivey (Mt. Pleasant, S.C.)/Stefanie Balasa (East Brunswick, N.J.) each split two matches.
For more information on the Rutgers women's tennis team, please log on to ScarletKnights.com to find up-to-date news, stats and information. Also follow the program on Twitter at Twitter.com/RUwtennis.
