Friday, October 13, 2006

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (October 13, 2006) - ETSU newcomer Yevgeniya Stupak (Kyiv, Ukraine) advanced to the round of 32 in the main draw of the ITA Southeast Regional Championships hosted by the University of North Carolina.

Stupak defeated No. 70 Sara Anundsen of North Carolina, 3-6, 6-4, 6-1 in the round of 64 to advance to tomorrow's round of 32. She will square off against Liz Plotkin of Duke.

"This was just a great win for Yevgeniya today, she played really tough and this was the highlight of the day," said head coach Steve Brooks

Senior Masha Ilina (Kyiv, Ukraine) and sophomore Olya Batsula (Minsk, Belarus) both fell in the round of 64. Ilina fell to No. 35 Kim Coventry of Kentucky, 6-2, 6-1 while Batsula fell to No. 78 Ashlee Davis of Wake Forest, 6-3, 3-0 retiring with an injury.

"Olya has been struggling with a leg injury for the last few weeks and she re-injured it yesterday in doubles. She tried as hard as she could and gave it everything she had," added Brooks. "Masha had a really good tournament. She has been struggling this fall but came out here and had a couple of good wins and she really played well in this tournament.

In doubles action, Ilina and Stupak fell to the No. 1 Sara Anundsen and Jenna Long of North Carolina, 8-3.

"We were up 2-1 early in this match and I was really beginning to think we could do it, but before I knew it we weren't up anymore. I think this is the first time ETSU has ever played a team that has been ranked No. 1," said Brooks.

Action will continue tomorrow morning at the Cone-Kenfield Tennis Center with singles matches starting at 10:30. Stupak's match is set to begin at 11:00 a.m. To keep up with all the latest ETSU women's tennis action visit www.etsubucs.com.