MCC women in 9th place at National Tournament

from combined reports

After two days of play at the NJCAA National Tournament, the Meridian Community College women's tennis team is in ninth place.

Playing at the Randolph Tennis Center in Tucson, Ariz., the Lady Eagles have earned 15 points and are currently six points behind Tyler (Texas) Junior College.

Seeded fifth in No. 1 singles, Anna Vavrik opened with a 6-0, 6-2 win in the round of 32, before posting a 6-1, 6-4 victory in Monday's round of 16.

Kelly Sterling, who received the National Arthur Ashe Sportsmanship Award, took a round of 32 victory 6-0, 6-1; but fell 6-4, 7-6(1) in the round of 16.

At No. 3 singles, seventh-seeded Ashton Hartley dropped her opening round match 6-4, 6-0. In consolation play Tuesday, Hartley picked up an 8-3 win.

Katy Shoptaugh, the sixth seed in No. 5 singles, won her first two matches — 6-0, 6-1 in the round of 32 and 6-4, 6-1 in the round of 16.

Seventh-seed Kayla Daughtrey fell 6-4, 6-1 in the round of 32 in the No. 5 singles. Daughtrey won 8-1 in consolation play Monday.

At No. 6 singles, Claire Massey lost 6-3, 7-6(3) in the opening round. She will continue play in the consolation draw Wednesday.

Doubles play began Tuesday with all three MCC teams picking up wins.

As the No. 4 seed, Vavrik and Sterling won 6-3, 6-1 at No. 1 doubles. Hartley and Shoptaugh won their No. 2 doubles match in come-from-behind fashion, taking a 3-6, 6-1, 6-2 victory. Massey and Daughtrey won 6-4, 6-2.