Oct. 4, 2011
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PACIFIC PALISADES, Calif. — University of Iowa senior Sonja Molnar split a pair of matches at the ITA All-American Championships on Monday at the Riviera Tennis Club in Pacific Palisades, Calif. Molnar fell to UCLA’s McCall Jones in the opening round of the Qualifying Draw before bouncing back to beat Rachael White of Illinois in the first round of the Qualifying Consolation Draw. Molnar, ranked No. 65 in the ITA preseason poll, is 5-1 this season.
Molnar dropped a 6-3, 6-2 decision against Jones. Jones was the Qualifying Draw’s No. 14 overall seed and was ranked No. 33 in the ITA preseason poll.
“The score doesn’t do justice to the match,” said head coach Katie Dougherty about Molnar’s opening match. “Sonja battled and played well but just ran into a very tough part of the draw. She’ll be ready to work her way through the back draw.”
Molnar defeated White, 6-3, 7-5. White was ranked No. 67 in the ITA preseason poll. The match was the first meeting between the Big Ten foes.
Molnar will face the winner of Lucia Batta (UNLV) vs. Mary Clayton (Duke) on Tuesday at 3:45 p.m. (CT). Molnar topped Clayton at last year’s ITA All-American Championships, 6-3, 6-4.
Singles
McCall Jones (UCLA) def. Sonja Molnar (Iowa), 6-3, 6-2
Sonja Molnar (Iowa) def. Rachael White (Illinois), 6-3, 7-5