Texas Tech University Athletics
Texas Tech Athletics
ITA All-American
Kilgo, Kiro Advance At Riviera/ITA All-American
September 27, 2014 | Women's Tennis
Texas Tech's Kenna Kilgo picked up three wins on Saturday during the prequalifying segment of the Riviera/ITA Al-American.
September 27, 2014
PALACE VERDES, Calif. - Texas Tech's Kenna Kilgo and Lynn Kiro combined to go 5-0 on the first day of prequalifying at the Riviera/ITA All-American at the Riviera Tennis Club.
The Texas Tech netters each picked up a pair of wins and the duo combined for a doubles win to advance to the finals of prequalifying at the event.
"The ladies had a very good day," said Lady Raider head coach Todd Petty. "They really competed well and never got caught up in the moment. At times, we didn't play our best tennis but that's what made their matches special.
"Lynn survived four match points in the third set and came back from 5-2 down in the second set of the second round. Although we didn't like being in that position, Lynn showed some maturity getting out of it. That is something she can look back on later in the year to gain confidence from down the road."
Kiro, who is ranked No. 83 nationally in singles, used a 6-3, 7-5 win in the first round over Abigail Owens of LSU. Then came a battle in the second round.
Kiro, who is seeded No. 1 in the prequalifying event, dropped the first set of the second round, 6-1, and was trailing Virginia's No. 122 Maci Epstein, 5-2, in the second set. The South African native held off four match points and won the next four games to take the set to a tiebreaker. Kiro held on for a 7-6 victory in the second. The third set was also a battle, but a late break gave Kiro a 1-6, 7-6, 7-5 win over Epstein.
With the pair of wins, Kiro extended her winning streak to 18 straight matches, dating back Feb. 16 of last season.
Kilgo, who is ranked No. 113 nationally, dropped Harvard's Monica Lin in straight sets, 6-2, 6-1, in the first round of prequalifying.
The Crawford, Texas, senior then upended Notre Dame's Monica Robinson, 6-3, 6-3, in the second round to advance to the finals of the event.
A win on Sunday for both Kilgo and Kiro would advance the Lady Raiders to the qualifying portion of the All-American. A total of eight student-athletes in the 64-person field will advance to qualifying segment of the event.
The day started with doubles, as Kilgo and Kiro pulled past the Illinois tandem of Melissa Kopinski and Alexis Casati, 8-6. With the win, Kilgo and Kiro, who are seeded third, advanced to the finals of prequalifying.
Kilgo and Kiro will face Georgia's Caroline Brinson and Hannah King at 10 a.m. PT for the right to advance to the qualifying segment of the All-American.
RIVIERA/ITA ALL-AMERICAN CHAMPIONSHIPS
Los Angeles, Calif. | Riviera Tennis Club
September 27, 2014
PREQUALIFYING SINGLES
First Round
(1) #83 Lynn Kiro (TT) def. Abigail Owens (LSU), 6-3, 7-5
#113 Kenna Kilgo (TT) def. Monica Lin (Harvard), 6-2, 6-1
Second Round
(1) #83 Lynn Kiro (TT) def. #122 Maci Epstein (Virginia), 1-6, 7-6, 7-5
#113 Kenna Kilgo (TT) def. Monica Robinson (Notre Dame), 6-3, 6-3
PREQUALIFYING DOUBLES
Second Round
(3) Kenna Kilgo / Lynn Kiro (TT) def. Melissa Kopinski / Alexis Casati (Illinois), 8-6
Players Mentioned
