WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – The Elon University women’s tennis team completed its third and final day of play at the Wake Forest Invitational today, Oct. 2, at the Wake Forest Tennis Complex, highlighted by the singles play of Suzanne Zenoni and a perfect doubles record byNatalia Janowicz and Maria Paraja.
Zenoni went 3-1 in singles action and advanced to the finals of the B Singles draw, while Janowicz and Paraja went unbeaten and captured the title of the D Doubles draw. Each of Elon’s six participants finished with records of .500 or better in singles play.
“We had a great tournament at Wake Forest,” Elon head coach Elizabeth Anderson said. “We have to set individual goals for each of their games. The team has worked very hard at improving during competition and practices, and is making great strides this fall.”
HIGHLIGHTS
Zenoni defeated Richmond’s Lea Owens 6-1, 6-3 in the round of 16 and advanced to the finals of the B Singles draw after a pair of three-set wins. In the finals, Zenoni fell in straight sets. The sophomore finished a combined 5-2 in the event.
The duo of Janowicz and Paraja cruised through the D Doubles draw, going 3-0 against pairings from Winthrop, Navy and Richmond. Janowicz went 2-1 in singles, picking up a pair of consolation victories after losing in the round of 16.
Paraja went 3-1 in singles and finished a combined 6-1 for the weekend. The sophomore notched victories against Richmond’s Kelsey Williams and Davidson’s Samantha Armas. Paraja’s final win came in the third-place match of the D Singles draw, a 6-2, 6-3 win against Navy’s Kaylah Hodge.
Erica Braschi went 2-2 in the A Singles draw. The junior’s performance was highlighted by a 7-5, 6-2 triumph over Alyssa Smith of Duke. Braschi finished 1-2 in doubles play alongside partner Kirsten Ward.
Ward finished 2-1 in singles with a pair of consolation victories in straight sets, while Alex Koniaev also achieved a 2-1 mark in singles. Koniaev was paired with Zenoni in doubles action, and the duo scored victories over pairings from Western Carolina and Richmond.
UP NEXT
The Phoenix returns to action Oct. 20-24 at the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) Carolina Regionals in Chapel Hill, N.C.
RESULTS
A Singles
Round of 16 – Erica Braschi (ELON) def. Alyssa Smith (DUKE) 7-5, 6-2
Quarterfinals – Erica Braschi (ELON) def. Emily Groeneveld (LIB) 7-6(4), 6-1
Semifinals – Laura Patterson (UGA) def. Erica Braschi (ELON) 6-4, 6-2
Third Place – Chandler Carter (WF) def. Erica Braschi (ELON) 6-3, 6-3
B Singles
Round of 16 – Suzanne Zenoni (ELON) def. Lea Owens (RICH) 6-1, 6-3
Quarterfinals – Suzanne Zenoni (ELON) def. Sena Suswam (LOU) 6-0, 2-6, 6-2
Semifinals – Suzanne Zenoni (ELON) def. Mariely Hassey (LIB) 1-6, 6-0, 6-3
Finals – Kiana Marshall (RICH) def. Suzanne Zenoni (ELON) 7-6(3), 6-0
C Singles
Round of 16 – Gabrielle Centenari (DAV) def. Kirsten Ward (ELON) 7-6(2), 3-6, 6-3
Round of 16 – Ava Todd (DAV) def. Natalia Janowicz (ELON) 6-2, 1-6, 6-3
Cons. Quarterfinals – Kirsten Ward (ELON) def. Jessie Paul (LOU) 6-4, 6-0
Cons. Quarterfinals – Natalia Janowicz (ELON) def. Audrey Channell (NAVY) 7-6(7), 6-3
Cons. Semifinals – Kirsten Ward (ELON) def. Sabrina Jiang (NAVY) 7-6(2), 6-3
Cons. Semifinals – Natalia Janowicz (ELON) def. Aimee Dervishian (NAVY) 2-6, 6-0, 6-4
D Singles
Round of 16 – Alex Koniaev (ELON) def. Arianna Pepper (WIN) 6-3, 6-3
Round of 16 – Maria Paraja (ELON) def. Kelsey Williams (RICH) 6-4, 6-2
Quarterfinals – Kaylah Hodge (NAVY) def. Alex Koniaev (ELON) 4-6, 6-4, 6-2
Quarterfinals – Maria Paraja (ELON) def. Samantha Armas (DAV) 7-6(4), 6-4
Semifinals – Anna Ramirez (RICH) def. Maria Paraja (ELON) 7-5, 5-7, 7-5
Third Place – Maria Paraja (ELON) def. Kaylah Hodge (NAVY) 6-2, 6-3
Fifth Place – Alex Koniaev (ELON) def. Carlee Conway (NAVY) 6-1, 1-6, 7-5
B Doubles
Quarterfinals – Koniaev/Zenoni (ELON) def. Taranto/Strickland (WCU) 8-3
Semifinals – Carter/Meredith (WF) def. Koniaev/Zenoni (ELON) 8-5
Third Place – Koniaev/Zenoni (ELON) def. Marshall/Rosales (RICH) 8-4
C Doubles
Quarterfinals – Ward/Braschi (ELON) def. Kelic/Kamal (WIN) 8-3
Semifinals – Paul/Rodriguez (LOU) def. Ward/Braschi (ELON) 8-2
Third Place – Todd/Abele (DAV) def. Ward/Braschi (ELON) 8-3
D Doubles
Quarterfinals – Janowicz/Paraja (ELON) def. Pepper/Rooke (WIN) 8-3
Semifinals – Janowicz/Paraja (ELON) def. Rogers/Wreder (NAVY) 8-1
Finals – Janowicz/Paraja (ELON) def. Williams/Ramirez (RICH) 8-4