Jayhawks Gain Wins, Valuable Experience on Day One of Roberta Alison Fall Classic

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Kansas women’s tennis’ freshmen duo of Janet Koch and Nina Khmelnitckaia got off to a hot start Friday at the Roberta Alison Fall Classic hosted by the University of Alabama. Koch and Khmelnitckaia teamed up for a doubles win, and then each player captured a singles win before dropping their second round singles matches.
 
“We were pushed today in both singles and doubles and that is exactly what we want during our fall season,” said Kansas assistant coach Caroline Lilley. “The level of competition is very high here and as we continue to progress and develop, our windows of opportunity will be smaller. I am proud of how the girls competed and represented KU, and we are looking forward to finishing strong tomorrow with another process-focused day of competition.”
 
Koch and Khmelnitckaia got the day started on the doubles court where they bested Mississippi State’s Georgiana Patrasc and Anastasia Rentouli, 8-6.
 
Koch and Khmelnitckaia both took on players from Tulane in their opening round of singles play. Koch defeated Elena Muller, 6-4, 6-1, while Khmelnitckaia topped Nas Karagoz in three-sets, 6-2, 3-6, 7-6.
 
In the second round of singles play, Koch fell 6-4, 6-4 to Rasheeda McAdoo of Georgia Tech, while Khmelnitckaia was defeated by Jillian Rooney of Northwestern, 4-6, 6-1, 6-0.
 
Action will resume Saturday morning at 8 a.m., with two rounds of doubles play and the final round of singles matches at the Roberta Alison Fall Classic.
 
Robert Alison Fall Classic Results
Doubles
Emily Zabor Draw
First Round
Koch/Khmelnitckaia (Kansas) def. Patrasc/Rentouli (Mississippi State) 8-6
 
Singles
Courtney McLane Draw
First Round
Janet Koch (Kansas) def. Elena Muller (Tulane) 6-4, 6-1
Second Round
Rasheeda McAdoo (Georgia Tech) def. Janet Koch (Kansas) 6-4, 6-4
 
Becca Baum Draw
First Round
Nina Khmelnitckaia (Kansas) def. Naz Karagoz (Tulane) 6-2, 3-6, 7-6
Second Round
Jillian Rooney (Northwestern) def. Nina Khmelnitckaia (Kansas) 4-6, 6-1, 6-0
 
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