Granson, Nze Win Twice In Day Two Of Bulldog Invitational

Saturday, September 13

Athens, Ga.

All Day

Duke University

Day Two

Granson, Nze Win Twice In Day Two Of Bulldog Invitational

9/13/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis

By: Duke Sports Information

ATHENS, Ga.?Duke University women's tennis players Ellah Nze and Amanda Granson registered a pair of singles victories in the second round of the Bulldog Invitational hosted by the University of Georgia. Nze and Granson captured victories over opponents from players from Texas Christian and host Georgia at the Dan Magill Tennis Complex.

“This weekend so far has been really good for us,” head coach Jamie Ashworth said. “It's good for us to get out on the court in round robin action and get good matches in. For some of them it's their first match since May last year at NCAA's, so it's a good chance to get them in some pressure situations before our really big tournaments in the next few weeks.”

After playing six doubles matches in the opening day of the tournament, the Blue Devils were able to test their hands in singles play in the second day. Duke matched up against Texas Christian in the morning, winning four of the six matches. Ranked 17th in the nation Reka Zsilinszka captured a commanding 6-3, 6-0 victory over Katariina Tuohimaa, while No. 18 Nze dropped Macall Harkins 6-2, 7-5. Tara Iyer, ranked 60th, got past Nina Munch-Soegaard by a 6-2, 6-4 score and Granson rounded out the Blue Devils in the win column with a 6-3, 6-2 victory.

TCU's Idunn Hertzberg slipped past Melissa Mang, 7-5, 6-1 and Maria Babanova defeated Duke's Jessi Robinson 6-2, 6-2 to help the Horned Frogs to a pair of victories in the morning session.

It was Nze and Granson working their way to Duke's two victories over host Georgia in the afternoon. Nze turned in a pair of dominating sets to win in three over Yvette Hyndman 6-1, 6-7 (4-7), 6-0. Granson was outstanding in a 6-2, 6-2 triumph over Naoko Ueshima.

“Amanda Granson and Ellah Nze really played well for us in these two days,” Ashworth said. “They really picked up where they left off last season for us.”

The Blue Devils close out the weekend in the third day of competition at the invitational tomorrow, Sept. 14. Their next matches will come at the ITA All-American in Pacific Palisades, Calif.

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