CHARLESTON, S.C. — University of Iowa sophomore Alexa Noel continues to win at the ITA All-American Championships at the LTP Tennis Club. Noel, ranked No. 12 nationally, advanced to the main draw semifinals after fifth-ranked Duke’s Georgia Drummy retired due to injury with Noel leading, 3-0, in the first set. The Hawkeye All-American is scheduled to play No. 56 Eryn Cayetano of USC on Saturday at 10 a.m. (ET).
Noel is the highest ranked player remaining among the four semifinalists. No. 44 Taisiya Pachkaleva of Pepperdine will face unranked Sarah Hamner of South Carolina in the other semifinal on Saturday.
Over in the Midwest, Noel’s teammates started out strong at the Wildcat Invitational in Evanston, Illinois. The doubles team of Samantha Gillas/Michelle Bacalla notched a 6-2 triumph over Marquette’s Desmarais/Ferdman. After doubles, the pairs broke off to play singles. Gillas defeated Desmarais (6-2, 6-3) and Bacalla followed with a straight sets win (6-4, 6-2) over Ferdman.
“It is always good to get the first competition of the fall season going,” said Head Coach Sasha Schmid. “We need competitive situations to test ourselves and improve. We have a lot to keep working on tomorrow and Sunday. We are looking forward to more tennis.”
Samantha Mannix landed in Illinois this morning after competing with Noel in the doubles bracket at the ITA All-American Championships. Mannix/Vipasha Mehra lost, 6-4, against Illinois-Chicago’s Gustfusson/Jover. Mannix faced Gustffuson in singles and was victorious (6-3, 6-4). Mehra fell to Jover (6-3, 6-4).
Day two of the Wildcat Invite begins at 10 a.m. (CT) on Saturday.
Live Scores for the ITA All-American Championship can be found HERE.