SUMTER, S.C. --- The Tusculum University women's tennis team opened singles competition Friday on the first day of the ITA Southeast Regional Championship at the Palmetto Tennis Center.
The Pioneers won all three of their opening-round matches on Friday. Elodie Baechler picked up a 6-2, 6-4 victory over Emerson Banning of Coker, and Ylva Frafjord Landa defeated Czarina Aguirre of Erskine by a 6-3, 6-0 score. Paulina Loretz rallied from a set down to earn a 4-6, 7-5, 6-3 victory over Ariana Jativa of Erskine.
All five Pioneers entered in the tournament played in the second round of singles on Friday afternoon. Valentina Loretz earned a 6-2, 6-2 win over Kate Brzostek of Mars Hill and Landa beat Valentina Bodra 6-3, 6-1.
The Pioneers had three losses in three sets in the Round of 64, dropping both players into the consolation bracket. Baechler battled Isidora Zivkovic of Catawba but fell 1-6, 7-6 (7-2), 6-2, and Leonie Floeth dropped a 6-7 (5-7), 6-4, 6-4 decision to Viviana Gomez Lopez of Young Harris. In the final match of the night, Paulina Loretz fell 2-6, 6-2, 7-6 (8-6) to Laura Pesickova of Columbus State.
In doubles, the Pioneers will begin play on Saturday as both Tusculum teams of Floeth and Paulina Loretz along with Baechler and Valentina Loretz received first-round byes. They will begin play Saturday at 8 a.m. in the Round of 32, followed by Round of 16 competition starting at 10:30 a.m.
Singles play will resume Saturday at 3:30 p.m. with the Round of 32, with consolation singles matches slated for 12:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.
ITA Southeast Regional - Day 1
at Sumter, S.C.
Tusculum results
Singles - Round of 128
Elodie Baechler def. Emerson Banning (Coker) 6-2, 6-4
Ylva Frafjord Landa def. Czarina Aguirre (Erskine) 6-3, 6-0
Paulina Loretz def. Ariana Jativa (Erskine) 4-6, 7-5, 6-3
Singles - Round of 64
Valentina Loretz def. Kate Brzostek (Mars Hill) 6-2, 6-2
Ylva Frafjord Landa def. Valentina Bodra (Anderson) 6-3, 6-1
Viviana Gomez Lopez (Young Harris) def. Leonie Floeth 6-7 (5-7), 6-4, 6-4
Isidora Zivkovic (Catawba) def. Elodie Baechler 1-6, 7-6 (7-2), 6-2
Laura Pesickova (Columbus State) def. Paulina Loretz 2-6, 6-2, 7-6 (8-6)
