Oct. 21, 2011

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — Three members of the South Carolina women’s tennis team advanced to the round of 32 Friday in Chapel Hill, N.C., at the USTA/ITA Carolina Regional Championships.

In first-round action, Katerina Popova scored a 7-6 (9-7), 6-4 victory against Kelly Cameron from UNC-Wilmington, while Jaklin Alawi won easily against Isabel Von Stryk of USC Upstate 6-2, 6-1. Josefin Andersson needed three sets to down Zane Zarina of Wake Forest 6-2, 3-6, 6-2.

Dijana Stojic lost her match-up with Andressa Garcia from Winthrop 5-7, 6-4, 7-6 (7-5). Stojic and Alawi also fell in doubles to North Carolina State’s Kissell and Miller by an 8-3 score in the round of 32 after receiving a first-round bye. Andersson and Popova lost in the first round 8-6 to another NC State duo, Nelson and Sipes.

Regional play continues Saturday with Alawi on court first for the Gamecocks at 9:15 a.m.

SINGLES
#96 Katerina Popova, USC, def. Kelly Cameron, UNC-W, 7-6 (9-7), 6-4
Jaklin Alawi, USC, def. Isabel Von Stryk, USC-U, 6-2, 6-1
Josefin Andersson, USC, def. Zane Zarina, WFU, 6-2, 3-6, 6-2
Andressa Garcia, WU, def. #68 Dijana Stojic, USC, 5-7, 6-4, 7-6 (7-5)

DOUBLES
Nelson/Sipes, NCSU, def. Andersson/Popova, USC, 8-6
Kissell/Miller, NCSU, def. Alawi/Stojic, USC, 8-3