Luduena Advances To Sunday’s Singles Final at the CCLR Collegiate Invite

LAWRENCE, Kan. — After a rough start on the opening day at the courts of the CCLR Collegiate Invite in Little Rock, Arkansas, Kansas women’s tennis fared much better in Saturday’s action. Maria Belen Ludueña led the Jayhawks for the second-straight day, advancing to Sundays finals of the B Flight singles draw.
 
In singles play, Ludueña defeated Tina Rupert from Houston, 6-3, 6-4. She teamed with Maria Jose Cardona in doubles play and the duo went 1-1 on the day. Ludueña and Cardona fell in their opening match to Mai El Kamash and Arriane Hartono from Ole Miss, 8-4. They regrouped following the loss and put together an 8-1 win over Flavia Araujo and Nicole Breaux of Arkansas.
 
Kansas second-year head coach Todd Chapman was also pleased with the performance of freshman Madison Harrison, who defeated Marija Milutinovic of Ole Miss, 6-1, 7-6.
 
“I thought we competed at a much better level today as a group,” said Chapman.  “Madison had a great day and was very impressive.”
 
Harrison played doubles with fellow freshman Rachel McNeely, going 1-1 on the day with both matches coming against Memphis. Marta Morga and Liza Tymchenko of Memphis bested Harrison and McNeely, 8-2 in the first set, with the Jayhawk tandem taking the second match, 8-4, over Anki Wind and Kathryn Hughes.
 
In other action Saturday, Cardona dropped her singles match to Karyn Guttormsen from Oklahoma State, 4-6, 6-4, 6-1.
 
After seeing his players perform better on day two of the CCLR Collegiate Invite, Chapman is hoping for a strong finish Sunday.  
 
“I was pleased with how we responded today,” said Chapman. “We get the opportunity to go out tomorrow and try to finish the tournament on a strong note.”
 
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