Sept. 30, 2005

The University of South Carolina women’s tennis team opened its 2005 fall season on Friday at the Furman Fall Classic in Greenville, S.C. Carolina competed in its first tournament of the year with three victories in round one of singles play , and one victory in round one of the doubles competition. Carolina freshmen Gira Schofield and Natasa Vuckovic won their first intercollegiate matches. Redshirt sophomore, Grace Blakely also helped lead the Gamecocks with a singles victory.

“I was really impressed with the play of our freshmen,” Coach Arlo Elkins said. “I hope their play is a sign of things to come. We had three girls injured, so I had to move them up higher than I wanted, but it worked out.”

In morning doubles, Coach Arlo Elkins sent Vuckovic and Blakely to compete in the second flight draw, in which they defeated Bevard and Holzberg of Penn State University 8-2 in round one, but fell in round two to Gioia and Eckert of Furman University. Vuckovic and Blakely will compete for third place in flight two Saturday morning at 9:00 a.m.

As the tournament moved to singles action, Gira Schofield defeated Kaylan Caiati of Wisconsin 6-2, 6-2. She will go on to compete in the flight two semifinals Saturday at 11:00 a.m. against Vicky Jones of Tennessee. Natasa Vuckovic defeated Jenny Shular of Penn State University 6-4, 7-5. She will go on to compete in the flight three semifinals Saturday at 12:30 p.m. against Meg Fanjoy of North Carolina. Grace Blakely defeated Lauren Hotzberg of Penn State 6-4, 4-6, 6-3. She will go on to compete in the flight five semifinals Saturday at 1:00 p.m.

The Gamecocks will have three players competing for top finishes in the singles competition and one doubles team competing for a top three finish. The tournament will resume play Saturday at 9:00 a.m.

For complete results on the Furman Fall Classic visit www.furmanpaladins.com.

Results-Friday, September, 30, 2005

SINGLES

1. Sasha Abraham (PSU) def. Laura Ganzer (USC) 6-1, 7-5
2. Gira Schofield (USC) def. Kaylan Caiati (WI) 6-2, 6-2
3. Natasa Vuckovic (USC) def. Jenny Shular (PSU) 6-4, 7-5
4. Bryce Marable (UT) def. Justine Walsh (USC) 6-0, 6-3
5. Grace Blakely (USC) def. Lauren Hotzberg (PSU) 6-4, 4-6, 6-3

DOUBLES ROUND ONE

1. Fish/Bertrand (VU) def. Ganzer/Schofield (USC) 8-5
2. Vuckovic/Blakely (USC) def. Bevard/Holzberg (PSU) 8-2
3. Tuttle/Nusslock (WI) def. Walsh (USC)/Gerber (CU) 8-2

DOUBLES ROUND TWO 1. Morris/Osborne (FU) def. Ganzer/Schofield (USC) 8-2
2. Gioia/Eckert (FU) def. Vuckovic/Blakely (USC) 8-2
3. Dohanics/Niculescu (PSU) def. Walsh (USC)/Gerber (CU) 8-4