Oct. 5, 2011

PACIFIC PALISADES, Calif. — South Carolina women’s tennis seniors Anya Morgina and Dijana Stojic each won two rounds in the qualifying draw of the ITA/Riviera All-American Championships in Pacific Palisades, Calif., on Tuesday. Morgina and Stojic are now one win away each from reaching the main draw of the ITA’s first Grand Slam tournament of the 2011-12 season.

Morgina, ranked No. 30, started the day with a 6-3, 6-0 victory over No. 76 Ekaterina Morozova from Kansas. Stojic, rated No. 68 this fall, followed up with a 7-5, 3-6, 7-6 (7-3) triumph over No. 57 Annie Goransson of Cal Berkeley in her first match.

For her second match, Morgina scored a 6-3, 6-7 (6-8), 6-1 win against No. 48 Sam Critser from Michigan. Stojic concluded play for the duo with yet another thrilling three-set contest, beating No. 38 Shannon Matthews of Notre Dame 7-6 (7-3), 3-6, 7-6 (7-2).

Morgina and Stojic will look to earn their bids to the main draw Wednesday starting at 1:45 p.m. ET. Morgina faces Robin Anderson from UCLA, while Stojic takes on No. 26 Joanna Mather of Florida. They look to become the first Gamecocks to compete in the main draw since 2000 when current associate head coach Katarina Petrovic played in the event.

SINGLES
#30 Anya Morgina, USC, def. #76 Ekaterina Morozova, KU, 6-3, 6-0
#30 Anya Morgina, USC, def. #48 Sam Critser, UM, 6-3, 6-7 (6-8), 6-1
#68 Dijana Stojic, USC, def. #57 Annie Goransson, UCB, 7-5, 3-6, 7-6 (7-3)
#68 Dijana Stojic, USC, def. #38 Shannon Matthews, UND, 7-6 (7-3), 3-6, 7-6 (7-2)