Cyclones Beat Flagler, 5-2, In Season Opener

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. – The Iowa State tennis team opened its spring season with a 5-2 win against Flagler College Sunday morning at the Flagler Tennis Center. The Cyclones are 1-0, while the Saints fall to 0-1.

The Cyclones earned the doubles point with the duo of Samantha Budai and Liza Buss clinching with an 8-6 decision at the top spot. Alejandra Galvis and Annabella Bonadonna teamed up for an 8-3 decision to give ISU the early edge, but Ana Gasparovic and Regina Espindola were defeated 8-6, leaving the point in the hands of the Cyclones' top team. Budai and Buss delivered and the Cyclones went into singles action with a 1-0 lead.

With Budai sitting out singles play, the freshman Buss moved into the top slot and won the first set 6-4 against Flagler's Kelly Stewart. The second set was even at 1-1 when Stewart withdrew. Espindola, another freshman in the Cyclone lineup, earned her first win at No. 2 singles, defeating Mary Jo Nanti in straight sets, 7-5, 6-0.

The Cyclones also picked up singles points from Galvis and Bonadonna. Galvis was playing at No. 3 singles and beat Lizanne Jinkertz, 6-2, 6-2, while Bonadonna earned a 6-3, 6-2 victory over Thaisa Pereira.

The Cyclones will be back in action on Sunday, Jan. 17 when they host UTEP at the Ames Racquet and Fitness Club. The match is slated to begin at 9 a.m.

Doubles (Order of Finish: 2,3,1)
#1 – Samantha Budai/Liza Buss (ISU) def. Mary Jo Nanti/Kelly Burge (FLAG), 8-6
#2 – Alejandra Galvis/Annabella Bonadonna (ISU) def. Lizanne Jinkertz/Thaisa Pereira (FLAG), 8-3
#3 – Laura Kelly/Kelly Stewart (FLAG) def. Regina Espindola/Ana Gasparovic (ISU), 6-8

Singles (Order of Finish: 6,4,5,3,2,1)
#1 – Liza Buss (ISU) def. Kelly Stewart (FLAG), 6-4, 1-1 (WD)
#2 – Regina Espindola (ISU) def. Mary Jo Nanti (FLAG), 7-5, 6-0
#3 – Alejandra Galvis (ISU) def. Lizanne Jinkertz (FLAG), 6-2, 6-2
#4 – Annabella Bonadonna (ISU) def. Thaisa Pereira (FLAG), 6-3, 6-2
#5 – Laura Kelly (FLAG) def. Ana Gasparovic (ISU), 6-3, 3-0 (WD)
#6 – Kelly Burge (FLAG) def. Liera Bender (ISU), 6-2, 6-0

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Players Mentioned

Liera Bender

Annabella Bonadonna

Samantha Budai

Liza Buss

Regina Espindola

Alejandra Galvis

Ana Gasparovic

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