Vanessa Petrini Wins Quarterfinal Match at ITA Regionals
Oct 24 | Women's Tennis
NEW HAVEN, Conn. (October 24, 2011) - Sophomore Vanessa Petrini (Stamford, Conn.) won her quarterfinal match in the main single draw at the 2011 USTA/ITA Division I Women's Northeast Regional Championship at Yale University over No. 7 Vicky Brook (Yale), 5-7, 6-2, 3-0 (ret.), but lost to No. 5 Elizabeth Epstein (Yale), 6-4, 6-1, in the semifinal round on Monday afternoon.
This was the first time in Rutgers women's tennis history that a student-athlete advanced to the semifinal round of a regional tournament.
"I thought I played well this week," said Petrini. "I was able hang in with the level of the other players and played some of the best tennis I have played in a long time."
The quarterfinal win was the third-straight victory over a higher seeded player for Petrini. The sophomore had defeated No. 15 Bianca Sanon (Columbia), No. 4 Alex Kelleher (Boston College) and No. 7 Brook to advance to the semifinals. The sophomore also outlasted Pui Wing Sher, the top player from Seton Hall, 7-6 (6), 7-6 (5) after receiving a bye in the opening round.
"I think this will be really good for my confidence and show me where my strengths and weaknesses are," she added. "I know I am only going to get better from here."
The tournament seeded the top 16 players into the bracket with numbers 17 through 32 being placed alphabetically into the field. Petrini was assigned to the latter category.
"This will give her a lot of confidence and the team as a whole a lot of confidence knowing that we have this level of play on our team," said ninth-year head coach Ben Bucca. "This ends the fall season on a really strong, positive note and everyone is going to be inspired by this performance to come out strong in the spring."
Rutgers women's tennis will return in February with a full schedule to be announced at a further date.
Follow Rutgers Athletics on Facebook (www.facebook.com/RutgersAthletics) and Twitter (@RUAthletics) for all of the latest news and updates. For specific updates regarding women's tennis, follow the program on Twitter @RUwtennis. Fans can receive timely information, including special offers and giveaways throughout the year on our social media outlets along with www.ScarletKnights.com.
