Oct. 20, 2006

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - The Lady Eagle tennis team competed in the first day of the Memphis Lady Tiger Invitational on Friday, finishing the day with nine wins.

Ali Blackett recorded a 1-1 finish today, beginning with a win against Ball State's Haly Calderwood, 6-2, 6-2, and ending with a loss to Maria Oprea of Arkansas State, 6-7, 7-6, 10-5.

In Division II Singles, Stephanie Dellocono also went 1-1 on the day. In her first match, Dellocono was defeated by Murray State's Angela McGahee, 6-4, 4-6, 10-7. In the consolation bracket, she defeated Christine Stromberg of Ball State, 6-2, 6-3, and is scheduled to take on Zeljka Minic from Arkansas State on Saturday.

In the Division III Singles bracket, both Grace Kammerer and Lauren Gutterman were victorious for Southern Miss. Kammerer defeated Emma Retter of Ball State, 6-2, 6-3, and Sarah McKey of Samford 4-1. On Saturday, she is set to play against Ana Surviladze of Campbell University.

Gutterman had a BYE during the first round and later went on to defeat Rone van Wyk of Arkansas State, 6-1, 6-3. She is schedule to play Tanya Ahuja of Campbell University on Saturday.

In doubles action, Blackett and Kammerer represented the Lady Eagles in the Division I bracket. They were defeated by White and McKey of Samford, 9-8 (6), but later went on to defeat Calderwood and Askerko of Ball State, 8-0, in the consolation bracket. The pair is scheduled to take on Arkansas State's Chelminska and Oprea on Saturday.

In Division II Doubles, Dellocono and Gutterman went 2-0, defeating Smolnikova and Zejnich of Stephen F. Austin, 8-1, and Branker and Nguyen of Arkansas State, 8-3. On Saturday they are set to play Samford's McMiller and Baker.

Play resumes Saturday morning at 9 a.m.