Melrose Advances to Quarterfinals

STILLWATER, Okla. -- Senior Abbi Melrose turned a furious comeback into a quarterfinal berth at the USTA/ITA Central Regional Championships in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday.

The Brighton, England native bounced back from a uncharacteristic first set loss to defeat Gabriela Porubin 0-6, 6-4, 7-6 (2).

Melrose, the No. 13 overall seed, now boasts a total fall singles record of 9-2. She won all four of matches en route to winning the Sooner Draw at the OU Fall Invite last month.

“Abbi has become one of the best competitors in our region and I am not one bit surprised by her phenomenal effort to pull that match out,” said head coach David Mullins. “She just seems to want it a little more than her opponents.”

Freshman Lily Miyazaki fell in the round of 16 to Belen Luduena of Kansas 6-1, 6-3 after cruising by her first two opponents. Her fall record now stands at 7-2.

Juniors Emma Devine and Zita Engbroks, sophomores Morgan Chumney and Ann Pepper, and freshman Brooke Withrow all competed in singles consolation play. Withrow advanced by default before defeating Peyton Jennings of Arkansas 7-6, 6-2.

The freshman doubles duo of Christiana Brigante and Miyazaki advanced to the round of 16 before falling in the quarterfinals. They defeated Kelsey King and Brooke Urzendowski of St. Louis 8-5 and lost to Abby Stevens and Giulia Guidetti of Wichita State by the same score.

“We are progressing in doubles and it was good that Lily and Christie won a few matches so they could get some more reps of what they need to work on,” said Mullins.

Two other duos participated in doubles play, but did not fare as well. Chumney and Devine fell to Luca Pump and Aleksandra Trifunovic of Wichita State 8-7 (5), while Melrose and Engbroks lost to Maddie Schulte and Dimitra Stavrianakou of UMKC 8-5.

Play will continue at 9 a.m. Sunday with two rounds of singles and one round of doubles.

Players Mentioned

Christiana Brigante

Emma Devine

Zita Engbroks

Abbi Melrose

Lily Miyazaki

Ann Pepper

Brooke Withrow

Sponsors

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