Four Jackets Advance at ITA Southeast Regionals – Women’s Tennis — Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets

THE FLATS – Georgia Tech women’s tennis picked up four singles wins on the opening day of main draw action of the ITA Southeast Regionals on Friday. With all three doubles teams earning first round byes, the Yellow Jackets played eight singles matches in the round of 64 at the Ken Byers Tennis Complex.

Alejandra Cruz was the first to collect a victory for Tech, controlling Melisa Senli of South Florida in straight-sets in the morning. After back-to-back breaks started the first set, Cruz held for a 2-1 lead and pushed her advantage out to 5-1. The junior sealed the first set, 6-2. Senli battled early on in the second set, but Cruz overpowered her opponent and took the match, 6-2, 6-2.

Kate Sharabura collected the second win for Georgia Tech as the senior pocketed a straight-set victory over Georgia State’s Sara Radojevic. The opponents battled in the first set and stood knotted at 5-5 before Sharabura won the next two games to take the opener, 7-5. Sharabura led 4-2 in the second set, but Radojevic did not go lightly, trading the next three games for a 5-4 tally in favor of the Jacket. Sharabura sealed the win, 7-5, 6-4.

Continuing her impressive start to her freshman season, Taly Licht shook off a slow start against Sara Sarinova (FAU). After dropping the first set 0-6, Licht jumped out with a 3-0 lead to start the second set. The Jacket pushed her advantage out to 4-1, but Sarinova fought back to tie the set at 4-all. Licht snapped the rally and evened the match with a 6-4 second set victory to force a deciding third set. Knotted at 4-apiece in the final set, Licht broke Sarinova’s serve to go up 5-4, but was unable to serve out the match, moving to 5-5. Licht broke through to win the next two games and take the match 0-6, 6-4, 7-5.

Rounding out the victories for the Yellow Jackets was Scarlett Nicholson who made quick work of Nicole Alfaro of North Florida. Nicholson did not drop a game in the first set, cruising to a 6-0 opener, and raced out with a 4-1 edge in the second set. The Jacket pocketed the match, 6-0, 6-3 to advance to the round of 32.

Four Jackets will move into the consolation bracket after Friday. Meera Jesudason had a battle in the opening round, taking on No. 31 Oyinlomo Quadre of FIU. Quadre gained a 5-1 lead in the first set before Jesudason rallied back, winning the next two games. But Quadre closed the set, 6-3, and took the second, 6-3. Kylie Bilchev also took the court for the first time this weekend, facing Hayden…