University of Washington
Palm Springs Invitational
Huskies Open Play At Palm Springs Classic
November 04, 2011 | Women's Tennis
Nov. 4, 2011
MISSION HILLS, Calif. - Husky senior Samantha Smith had the biggest win of the day for the Husky women's tennis team, which competed in the first day of the Palm Springs Classic against Pac-12 rivals UCLA and USC.
The informal tournament does not follow a set bracket, but allows for the coaches to create challenging and appropriate match-ups across the board.
Smith faced USC's Valeria Pulido, who qualified for the NCAA Doubles Championship last year. The two went back and forth but Smith was better at beginning and end, scoring a 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 victory. Washington freshman Natali Coronel also had a 6-4, 6-4 win over UCLA's Holly Fleming.
Freshman Julija Lukac fell, 6-0, 6-4 to McCall Jones, who was UCLA's No. 1 singles player last year and is ranked 33rd nationally this fall. Sophomore Andjela Nemcevic and freshman Capucine Gregoire also fell short against their Pac-12 opponents.
Head Coach Jill Hultquist thought day one was a mixed bag, as UW went 2-3 in singles play but 0-2 in doubles matches.
"Overall it was a tough day for us," said Hultquist. "We still have a lot of work to do with our doubles. Samantha had a great win and Natali had a win for us, but overall we had a tough day. We are a young team and still have a lot to learn against teams that have a lot of experience."
Washington Women's Tennis
Palm Springs Invitational
November 4, 2011 - Mission Hills, Calif.
Singles
Samantha Smith (UW) def. Valeria Pulido (USC), 6-2, 3-6, 6-3
Natali Coronel (UW) def. Holly Fleming (UCLA), 6-4, 6-4
(33) McCall Jones (UCLA) def. Julija Lukac (UW), 6-0, 6-4
Gabriella DeSimone (USC) def. Capucine Gregoire (UW), 6-2, 2-6, 6-3
(102) Carling Seguso (UCLA) def. Andjela Nemcevic (UW), 6-4, 6-0
Doubles
Ray/Seguso (UCLA) def. Nemcevic/Smith (UW), 8-3
Fleming/Thomas (UCLA) def. Gregoire/Lukac (UW), 9-7
Players Mentioned
