UNLV Invite Results
LAS VEGAS, Nev. - Coming off of a solid team performance one week ago, Purdue largely struggled at the start of the UNLV Invite this past weekend in Las Vegas, Nevada. Through the first nine matches, the women's tennis team could only secure one doubles victory; Paola Maza Portuondo and Grace Schaffer defeated Wright and Zogg of SMU 8-2 in Schaffer's first appearance of the 2016-17 season.
However, day two introduced a new energy from the Boilermaker squad, led by the efforts of Alex Sabe and Deborah Suarez. The pair first defeated Perez-Lopez and Monarrez of SMU 8-7 in doubles and then went on to win both of their singles matches. Sabe beat Texas A&M's Hristov 6-2, 6-4; Suarez defeated Reeves of Colorado State 6-3, 6-2.
Nicole Robinson also earned a victory for Purdue on day two, winning 6-3, 7-6 against Buss of SMU. Additionally, Robinson won her second-day doubles match with partner Andjela Djokovic. The senior duo defeated Buss and fellow Mustang, Shararpova, 8-7.
Purdue carried its momentum into day three, winning three singles matches and two consolation championships. Marta Ruedas began the Boilermaker run by securing her first win of the tournament, a 6-1, 6-1 victory over Reeves. Meanwhile, Sabe and Suarez both worked to cap off their singles play with a win and consolation title. Sabe defeated Sharapova 6-4, 6-2 in the final, and Suarez beat Arizona's Aelst 6-4, 6-3 in her flight's title match. The two Boilermakers also won a doubles consolation championship together, beating Wright and Zogg 8-6.
Djokovic and Robinson added a fourth consolation title to Purdue's record with an 8-5 win over Reeves and Kolbow.
While the team finished 6-9 in singles and 5-7 in doubles, the women showed both poise and resiliency at the UNLV Invite - two traits needed to earn victories in the Big Ten this spring. The women begin play again on January 14, taking on the Butler Bulldogs at home. Conference play starts on February 19 verse Maryland.
For complete results from the UNLV Invite, click the link at the top of this article.
