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@SunDevilWTennis Advances Three in Lubbock ITF Tournament

@SunDevilWTennis Advances Three in Lubbock ITF Tournament@SunDevilWTennis Advances Three in Lubbock ITF Tournament
LUBBOCK, Texas – All three Sun Devils entered in the Lubbock $25,000 ITF tournament advanced to the second round of qualifying, with freshman Tereza Kolarova sweeping her way through the first round, Nicole Fossa Huergo winning in three sets and Lauryn John-Baptiste advancing automatically with a first-round bye.
 
"We're off to a great start in the tournament, going 2-0," associate head coach Matt Langley said. "I was very happy with our professionalism in the way we prepared for the matches today, and Tereza and Nicole gave themselves the best possible chance to play well."
 
Kolarova's ASU career started with a straight-set victory over American Constance Branstine of Pac-12 foe Southern California, 6-2, 6-3.
 
"I was happy with the way Tereza played and pleased with her focus throughout the match," Langley said. "It allowed her to get off the court in two comfortable sets over a Pac-12 opponent."
 
The win sends her into the second round of qualifying to face another American, Brooke Dennis of the University of Texas – Arlington. Dennis comes into Sunday's match fresh after earning a bye through the first round Saturday.
 
Italy international Fossa Huergo started her senior campaign with the Devils in a see-saw three-set affair with American Jayci Goldsmith.
 
Fossa Huergo took the first set comfortably, 6-2, but the teenaged Goldsmith broke through in the second set to take it, 6-2. The winner-take-all third set was settled in 12 games and eventually went to Fossa Huergo, 7-5.
 
"I'm extremely proud of Nicole for getting through a tough 7-5 in the third set against a Texas A&M commit in Jayci Goldsmith," Langley said. "She started well, but lost a little momentum there in the second set. For her to mentally regroup and play some of her best tennis toward the end of the third set should give her a lot of confidence going forward."
 
Fossa Huergo faces former Notre Dame Fighting Irish player Mary Closs Sunday. This will be their first meeting.
 
True freshman John-Baptiste got the day off from competition as she earned a first-round bye during Friday night's draw.
 
John-Baptiste faces SMU freshman Emma Pieroni in the second round. Pieroni took care of Amanda Vos in the first round, 6-3, 6-2.
 
"I'm looking forward to the girls competing again tomorrow and watching each of them continue to build upon individual aspects of their games," Langley said.
 
All three women will be in action tomorrow in Lubbock. Results will be available on itftennis.com following the completion of the round.