Jennifer Zika Captures Singles Title At ASU Thunderbird Invitational

Nov. 9, 2003

TEMPE, ARIZ. - Duke University freshman Jennifer Zika captured the singles title at the 2003 Arizona State University/Thunderbird Women's Tennis Invitational on Sunday as the Wels, Austria product defeated 99th-ranked Jody Scheldt of California at the Whiteman Tennis Center.

"Since I arrived here in Tempe, I felt really good," said Zika. "The weather here was very nice and I had a couple of good practices before the tournament started. During the tournament, I kept fighting really hard, which was good also."

Zika won the first set on Sunday, 6-2, and was leading 1-0 in the second before Scheldt retired due to injury. The victory for Zika was the fifth of the weekend and now owns a 10-4 record on the fall season.

"It took some time to get used to playing on the collegiate level," said Zika. "At home I always practice on clay so the change to hardcourt was difficult. At the beginning, I wasn't in as good of shape either and now I am very fit. It is good to finish the fall on a high note and I am excited about the upcoming spring season."

In other singles action, freshman Kristin Cargill defeated Hala Sufi of Purdue, 3-6, 6-2, 7-5, and Parker Goyer knocked off Judith Diaz of Kansas State, 6-0, 6-1.

Duke will be off for the rest of the fall before opening the team season on Jan. 24 against Baylor.

Blue Devil Head Coach Jamie Ashworth on Jennifer Zika: "The victory for Jennifer is good for her heading into the spring. All of the matches she lost in the fall were close as she didn't get killed by anyone. She was also finally able to hold the lead and hopefully she can build on that. Going into the spring, hopefully she can build on that confidence. She just had trouble closing people out in the fall so finally being able to do that this weekend was very good."

- d - u - k - e -