Sept. 19, 2008

LUBBOCK, Texas - The Texas Tech women's tennis squad won 11 matches on the first day of competition at the Lobo Invitational and will continue the tournament tomorrow at 9 a.m. local time.

"The level of the tournament is probably one of the better first days we have had in a fall event in a while," said head coach Todd Petty. "The freshman stepped up amazingly especially Stefanie Peana winning two matches and I am really proud of the progress."

In doubles action Natalie Leitch and Simone Templeton beat Kyla Iwinski and Julia Bauregger from Denver University 8-6. Samantha van der Drift and Kelsy Garland beat Big 12 conference rival Maria Martinez and Erin Wilbert of Kansas 8-5.

In flight A, Samantha van der Drift won her only singles match of the day 7-6, 6-2 over Emma Hayman of New Mexico. Natalie Leitch defeated Leslie Vial of Northern Arizona 6-2, 6-0 and Kelsy Garland won 6-2, 6-3 over Kim Van Ginkel of Northern Arizona.

In flight B, Stefanie Peana won her two singles matches of the tournament defeating Yuliana Svistun of Kansas 6-1, 6-4 and then beating Manumea Durie of New Mexico 6-4, 6-4.

Also in flight B, Simone Templeton also won her two singles matches by beating Orsi Golovics of Northern Arizona University 6-1, 7-5 but it took three sets to beat Sarah Drummond of Abilene Christian 6-2, 4-6, 6-2.

Action will continue tomorrow with double and singles action starting at 9 a.m. local time.