WTennis - Marta Lesniak Makes Singles Finals At ITA Regional

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Marta Lesniak Makes Singles Finals At ITA Regional
Junior Also Pairs With Heather Steinbauer To Make Doubles Title Match

http://smumustangs.cstv.com/sports/w-tennis/spec-rel/102610aaa.html

WACO, Texas (SMU) -- No. 22 Marta Lesniak advanced to the singles championship and then partnered with Heather Steinbauer as the No. 47 ranked pair also reached the doubles title match at the ITA Regional in Waco. Lesniak fell to Baylor’s Sona Novakova in the singles final, while the SMU duo battled but ultimately fell to Novakova/Secerbegovic of Baylor in the doubles final.

“I am really proud of the team,” said head coach Lauren Longbotham Meisner. “We have had an excellent fall season and this tournament really highlighted that. Marta and Heather were great in doubles and almost pulled off an incredible comeback in the final. Marta is also playing really well in singles, and it is great that she followed her quarterfinal run at the All-American with another outstanding tournament.”

After her hard-fought singles final match, Lesniak quickly regrouped and partnered with Seinbauer to battle for the doubles crown. The pair found themselves down early by a score of 7-2 in the eight-game pro set format, but rallied to square the match at 7-7, fighting off five match points in the process. After both teams broke serve to even things at 8-all, the Baylor duo ultimately prevailed in a tiebreaker.

Also qualifying to play in the event for SMU were No. 109 Edyta Cieplucha, Shahzoda Hatamova, and Ashley Turpin. Cieplucha and Hatamova advanced to the round of 16 in the 128-person singles draw, while No. 117 Heather Steinbauer won two matches and Ashley Turpin won her first round matchup. In doubles, the duo of Hatamova and Cieplucha advanced to the round of 32.

As a result of advancing to the quarterfinals at the Riviera ITA All-American tournament earlier this month, Lesniak qualified for the ITA National Indoor Championships. Action in the event begins Nov. 4 in Flushing, N.Y.