WINSTON SALEM, N.C. (October 23, 2008) - Senior ETSU women's tennis player Tara Byrne (Johnson City) looked strong in her opening two matches, winning both, Thursday at the Wilson/ITA Regional Championships, in Winston Salem, N.C.

In her first-round match Byrne dropped only two games, defeating Sara Abutovic of Winthrop, 6-1, 6-1. Then a match later the ETSU captain defeated Katarina Reveche of Wake Forest, 6-2, 6-2.

"Tara (Byrne) played really well today, said head coach Steve Brooks. "In both matches she had solid performances and really played like a senior should today."

Also in singles action freshman Paula Jamie (Madrid, Spain) came back to win her first-round match against North Carolina State's Diana Mortlock. After splitting the first two sets, Jamie found herself down 3-0, before rallying to take the final set and match 0-6, 7-5, 7-6 (5). Unfortunately, the ETSU newcomer could not maintain her momentum dropping to Kentucky's Jennifer Stone, 6-3, 6-4 in the quarterfinals of the Qualifying Singles bracket.

"I was proud of Paula's performance in the first match," said Brooks. "In the second match she made a freshman mistake by falling behind early, but then played solid the rest of the match. However, Stone had a controlling lead and that was just too hard too overcome."

In doubles action, the ETSU team of Byrne and freshman Karina Kedzo (Puerto Ordaz, Venezuela) were eliminated from further play after loosing to ninth-seeded Austin Smith and Meg Fanjoy of North Carolina, 8-2.

ETSU junior Yevgeniya Stupak (Kyiv, Ukraine) is the four Buc to compete in the tournament. The 63rd ITA ranked player opens play against Tennessee's Maria Sorbello, Friday.

Qualifying Singles

Paula Jamie (ETSU) 0-6, 7-5, 7-6 (5) Diana Mortlock (NC State)

Jennifer Stone (UK) 6-3, 6-4, Paula Jamie (ETSU)

Tara Byrne (ETSU) 6-1, 6-1 Sara Abutovic (Winthrop)

Tara Byrne (ETSU) 6-2, 6-2, Katarina Reveche (Wake Forest)

Doubles

Smith/Fanjoy (UNC) 8-2, Byrne/Kedzo (ETSU)

For more information on this week's tournament and brackets matches please visit www.ETSUBUCS.com or tournament central at www.WAKEFORESTSPORTS.com.