Texas Tech University Athletics
Texas Tech’s Valenstein Edges Maltby at ITA Summer Circuit National Championships
August 16, 2016 | Women's Tennis
Alex Valenstein is the first Lady Raider in program history to qualify for the main draw of the Riviera/ITA All-American Championships.
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Alex Valenstein and Felicity Maltby met in an all Texas Tech women's tennis final Tuesday at the ITA Summer Circuit National Championships on the University of Indiana campus.
Maltby took the first set by a 6-2 margin before Valenstein secured an identical 6-2 win in set two to force a winner-take-all super tiebreaker. Valenstein emerged with a tightly-contested 11-9 decision in the breaker to capture the tournament title and earn a berth in the main draw of October's Riviera/ITA All-American Championships. Valenstein is the first player in program history to qualify for the main draw of the event.
During her run to the championship, Valenstein registered a pair of three-set victories against opponents inside the final ITA singles rankings. She knocked off No. 52 Kaitlyn McCarthy of Duke in the Round of 16 followed by No. 108 Rasheeda McAdoo of Georgia Tech during the semifinals.
Earlier this summer, Maltby claimed a pair of singles titles at ITA Summer Circuit events in Arlington and College Station.
Texas Tech has coming off consecutive 20-win seasons for the first time in program history fueled by a program-record 25 victories during the 2016 season. The Lady Raiders have picked up back-to-back NCAA Sweet 16 appearances.
Texas Tech is slated to return its top seven players which recorded every dual match victory last season. Maltby and Valenstein will be joined by Sarah Dvorak and Gabriela Talaba. The quartet picked up All-Big 12 Second-Team honors in 2016.
Visit www.TexasTech.com for the latest news and information on the women's tennis program. Fans also can follow the program on its social media outlets at www.Facebook.com/TechWomensTennis and @TexasTechTennis on Twitter.
Round of 64
Felicity Maltby (Texas Tech) defeats Mya Bui (PHS): 8-1
Alex Valenstein (Texas Tech) defeats Gabrielle Goldin (BCHS): 8-5
Round of 32
Felicity Maltby (Texas Tech) defeats Emily Fanning (Kentucky): 8-4
Alex Valenstein (Texas Tech) defeats Raven Neeley (Northern Illinois): 8-3
Round of 16
Felicity Maltby (Texas Tech) defeats Jessica Perez (Loyola): 6-2, 6-1
Alex Valenstein (Texas Tech) defeats No. 52 Kaitlyn McCarthy (Duke): 1-6, 6-3, 1-0 (13-11)
Quarterfinals
Felicity Maltby (Texas Tech) defeats Stephanie Smith (Marshall): 6-2, 6-2
Alex Valenstein (Texas Tech) defeats Janet Koch (Kansas): 7-6 (6), 7-6 (4)
Semifinals
Felicity Maltby (Texas Tech) defeats Josie Kuhlman (Florida): 7-6 (4), 3-6, 1-0 (10-7)
Alex Valenstein (Texas Tech) defeats No. 108 Rasheeda McAdoo (Georgia Tech): 6-1, 2-6, 1-0 (11-9)
Finals
Alex Valenstein (Texas Tech) defeats Felicity Maltby (Texas Tech): 2-6, 6-2, 1-0 (11-9)
Maltby took the first set by a 6-2 margin before Valenstein secured an identical 6-2 win in set two to force a winner-take-all super tiebreaker. Valenstein emerged with a tightly-contested 11-9 decision in the breaker to capture the tournament title and earn a berth in the main draw of October's Riviera/ITA All-American Championships. Valenstein is the first player in program history to qualify for the main draw of the event.
During her run to the championship, Valenstein registered a pair of three-set victories against opponents inside the final ITA singles rankings. She knocked off No. 52 Kaitlyn McCarthy of Duke in the Round of 16 followed by No. 108 Rasheeda McAdoo of Georgia Tech during the semifinals.
Earlier this summer, Maltby claimed a pair of singles titles at ITA Summer Circuit events in Arlington and College Station.
Texas Tech has coming off consecutive 20-win seasons for the first time in program history fueled by a program-record 25 victories during the 2016 season. The Lady Raiders have picked up back-to-back NCAA Sweet 16 appearances.
Texas Tech is slated to return its top seven players which recorded every dual match victory last season. Maltby and Valenstein will be joined by Sarah Dvorak and Gabriela Talaba. The quartet picked up All-Big 12 Second-Team honors in 2016.
Visit www.TexasTech.com for the latest news and information on the women's tennis program. Fans also can follow the program on its social media outlets at www.Facebook.com/TechWomensTennis and @TexasTechTennis on Twitter.
Round of 64
Felicity Maltby (Texas Tech) defeats Mya Bui (PHS): 8-1
Alex Valenstein (Texas Tech) defeats Gabrielle Goldin (BCHS): 8-5
Round of 32
Felicity Maltby (Texas Tech) defeats Emily Fanning (Kentucky): 8-4
Alex Valenstein (Texas Tech) defeats Raven Neeley (Northern Illinois): 8-3
Round of 16
Felicity Maltby (Texas Tech) defeats Jessica Perez (Loyola): 6-2, 6-1
Alex Valenstein (Texas Tech) defeats No. 52 Kaitlyn McCarthy (Duke): 1-6, 6-3, 1-0 (13-11)
Quarterfinals
Felicity Maltby (Texas Tech) defeats Stephanie Smith (Marshall): 6-2, 6-2
Alex Valenstein (Texas Tech) defeats Janet Koch (Kansas): 7-6 (6), 7-6 (4)
Semifinals
Felicity Maltby (Texas Tech) defeats Josie Kuhlman (Florida): 7-6 (4), 3-6, 1-0 (10-7)
Alex Valenstein (Texas Tech) defeats No. 108 Rasheeda McAdoo (Georgia Tech): 6-1, 2-6, 1-0 (11-9)
Finals
Alex Valenstein (Texas Tech) defeats Felicity Maltby (Texas Tech): 2-6, 6-2, 1-0 (11-9)
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
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