CARY, N.C. – Georgia Tech’s doubles team of Alejandra Cruz and Given Roach captured a dominating straight-set win in the second round of pre-qualifying on Sunday to secure a spot in the qualifying draw of the ITA All-American Championships. The Yellow Jackets also continued singles pre-qualifying action with Taly Licht and Roach at the Cary Tennis Park.
To close out the night in doubles action, Cruz and Roach were vying for a spot in the qualifying draw against SMU’s Drew Morris and Sophie Llewellyn. After erasing an early break in the first set, Cruz and Roach moved back on serve at 4-all and broke the Mustangs to take a 5-4 lead. Roach served out the first set with an ace, sealing the set lead for Tech, 6-4. Cruz and Roach dominated the second set from the start. After both teams held at 1-1, the Jackets earned an early break for a 3-2 lead and extended their advantage to 5-2. Roach served out the match, 6-2, to secure a spot in the qualifying draw on Monday.
In singles action earlier in the day, Licht advanced to the final round of competition, battling to a three-set victory in the second round, but could not secure a spot in the qualifying draw. The freshman Yellow Jacket challenged NC State’s Jasmine Conway in the second round, fighting to the finish. The conference foes worked to a tiebreak in the first set with Conway taking the set lead, 7-6 (3). But Licht rallied back to pull out a tight second set, 7-5, and took control in the final set, 6-3, to advance to the final round of pre-qualies.
Licht faced a quick turnaround for her third match in two days and faced Oklahoma’s Ava Catanzarite for a spot in the qualifying draw. Licht fought to the final point, but fell, 6-2, 6-4.
Also competing in the second round on Sunday, Roach took on TCU’s Tomi Main in the morning. After dropping the first set, 6-2, Roach forced a deciding third set, winning the second set, 6-4. But the Jacket couldn’t hold on, dropping the match, 6-2, 4-6, 6-2.
A pair of Yellow Jackets also competed in the consolation bracket of pre-qualifying. Scarlett Nicholson pocketed a three-set win over Arizona’s Tanvi Narendran. Nicholson regrouped after dropping a 6-1 first set to take the second set, 6-4. She carried momentum into the final set, cruising to a 6-2 decision. Cruz battled against Kanas State’s Tereza Polakova, but fell 4-6, 7-6 (3), 6-2.
Action continues on Monday with the opening rounds of singles and doubles in the qualifying draw. Kate Sharabura will take…
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