Two Ball State University women's tennis players advanced to the semifinals round as the team played host to an invitational tournament Friday.
Lauren Pickrel, a freshman making her Ball State debut, won her opening match of Flight D singles against Bradley University's Brigitte Graf 6-2, 6-0. She then featured a strong forehand in a lengthy match against Stephanie Okuma of Northern Illinois University, beating her 6-3, 5-7, 10-2 to advance to the semifinals.
Kylee Johnson won four straight sets en route to the semifinals of Flight B singles. She took her opening match against Amanda Albuquerque of Wright State University, 6-2, 6-2, and made it two straight sweeps by knocking out Sara McLaughlin of Northern Illinois 6-3, 6-3.
Both Pickrel and Johnson will compete in the semifinals Saturday.
Pickrel continued her winning ways by pairing up with Dena Boulieris to win 8-2 against a University of Dayton doubles team in the Flight 4 doubles.
Hayley Hall and Sarah Hebble took an 8-6 victory in the Flight 3 doubles.
Georgina Thomson won the consolation bracket in Flight A singles after dropping her first match. She beat Kelly Drvaric of University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in her final match of the day.
"It was middle of the road. We need to do a better job of competing on every point," coach Kathy Bull said. "But we got great efforts from Lauren and Kylee."
Coach Bull said her team needed to have prepared better during the summer so they could be more fit for matches in the fall.
"Our problem is, as a team, we don't compete enough during the summer," she said. "Our preparation needs to be better, and that's something I need to address."
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
