Cecil Advances To The Quarterfinals

Friday, May 22

College Station, Texas

All Day

Duke University

Round of 16

Cecil Advances To The Quarterfinals

5/22/2009 5:30:00 PM | Women's Tennis

By: Duke Sports Information

COLLEGE STATION, Texas?Duke University freshman Mallory Cecil played her way into the NCAA Women's Tennis Individual Tournament quarterfinals this afternoon with a victory in the round of 16. The fifth-seeded Cecil continues her quest for an individual national title on May 23.

Also in action in the round of 16 for the blue Devils were sophomores Reka Zsilinszka and Ellah Nze. Facing off against the No. 1 No. 2 seeds, respectively, the duo dropped tough contests to close out the memorable 2009 season.

Cecil opened the day with another straight-set victory over Miami's Bianca Eichkorn. The Spartanburg, S.C., native cruised to the 6-2, 7-5 win to capture her 29th victory of the season. She is the first Blue Devil since 2001 to advance to the quarterfinal round. Ansley Cargill is the last to do it, losing in the final eight round.

The rookie will take on No. 3 seed Aurelija Miseviciute of Arkansas on May 23 at 10 a.m.. The two previously met in the round of 16 in the team tournament with Cecil coming away with a 6-7 (2), 6-2, 6-1 victory.

“I thought that (Bianca Eichkorn) played really well," Cecil said. "She fought really hard. The first set was a lot closer than the score gave out. We had a lot of close games, but we both had to deal with that wind out there. I think we both stayed pretty aggressive. I think the difference was a little bit of unforced errors on her part. I think that we both played really similar and that we both fought really hard. I think it was just that little bit that made the difference.”

Nze closed out her season with a 6-4, 6-4 loss to No. 2 seed Julia Cohen of Miami. Earning All-America honors after advancing to the round of 16, Nze finishes her season with a 30-13 overall record. It is the second straight year the Tampa, Fla., native has won 30 wins.

Looking to upset the top-seeded Maria Mosolova of Northwestern, Zsilinszka took the first set 6-4. Mosolova bounced back to win the match by taking the next two sets, 6-2, 6-4. Zsilinszka captures All-America recognition for the second consecutive season and finishes with a 41-8 overall record. The 41 wins rank seventh all-time in Duke individual history.

For complete details on tournament action, click here.

NCAA Individual Tournament
May 20-25, 2009 at College Station, Texas (Mitchell Tennis Center)

Singles competition
1	#5 Mallory Cecil (Duke University) def. Sarah Fansler (Southern California) 6-4, 6-1
1	Ellah Nze (Duke University) def. #14 Kelcy McKenna (Arizona State) 6-3, 7-6 (7-2)
1	Reka Zsilinszka (Duke University) def. Caitlin Whoriskey (Tennessee) 6-3, 6-2
2	#5 Mallory Cecil (Duke University) def. Amanda McDowell (Georgia Tech) 6-4, 6-4
2	Ellah Nze (Duke University) def. Amanda Fink (Southern California) 6-2, 6-3
2	Reka Zsilinszka (Duke University) def. Amanda McDowell (Georgia Tech) 6-3, 6-1
16	#5 Mallory Cecil (Duke University) def. Bianca Eichkorn (Miami) 6-2, 7-5
16	#2 Julia Cohen (Miami) def. Ellah Nze (Duke University) 6-4, 6-4
16	#1 Maria Mosolova (Northwestern University) def. Reka Zsilinszka (Duke University) 4-6, 6-2, 6-4