Freshmen Shine in Tennis Debut

DES MOINES, Iowa ? The Iowa State tennis team closed-out the first day of the Drake Invitational Friday with a sparkling performance from the freshmen. All three newcomers posted a singles win in their Cyclone debut.

“I'm really pleased with how the freshmen came out in their first match in a Cyclone uniform,” said head tennis coach Michele Conlon. “They played with a lot of confidence and energy, and I think they will bring a lot to the team.”

Freshman Liza Wischer, a North Dakota native, carded the first Cyclone win of the day. Wischer, a six-time North Dakota state singles champion, defeated Samantha Schnobel of Northern Iowa, 6-2, 6-1.

Freshman Reka Keleman also recorded a win in straight sets, 6-2, 6-1, over Drake's Daria Zawislak. Rookie Erin Karonis got her first Cyclone win by defeating the two-seed, Carolina Hannes, of UNI, 6-1, 6-1.

Seniors Chrissy Derouin and Caitlin Loprinzi and sophomores Alyssa Palen and Dora Losonczy all fell in their opening singles matches.

In doubles play, Wischer and teammate Karonis fell 8-4 to Nebraska's pair of Amber Chandoronnait and Ashley Finnegan. The ISU pair was able to bounce back, however, in the consolation bracket with an 8-1 win over a hybrid pair of Iowa State's Losonczy and Missouri's Maureen Modesto.

After a first round bye, Palen and Loprinzi fell 8-4 to the Missouri pair of Kaitlin Dunham and Sofia Ayala, despite a fighting effort.

"I thought Alyssa and Caitlin played good doubles," said Conlon. "They were aggressive, showed a lot of energy and used a lot of their tools."

Play will resume Saturday at 9 a.m. with two rounds of singles and one round of doubles. Sunday will mark the final round of the tournament with competition starting at 9 a.m.

Players Mentioned

Chrissy Derouin

Chrissy Derouin

Chrissy Derouin

Erin Karonis

Erin Karonis

Caitlin Loprinzi

Caitlin Loprinzi

Caitlin Loprinzi

Alyssa Palen

Alyssa Palen

Liza Wischer

Liza Wischer

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