October 18, 2012

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Senior Annette Rios (Santa Ana, El Salvador / Liceo Latinoamericano) and junior Dilara Yurtkuran (Istanbul, Turkey / Gunes Koleji) advanced to the main singles draw of the USTA/ITA Carolina Regional Championships Thursday, Oct. 18.

"This is the first time in a long time that we had everyone qualify for the main draw," said head coach Jeff Trivette.  "Dilara and Annette played great today, and we're set up to get some wins in the main draw." 

Rios earned a 6-3, 6-2 win against Wake Forest's Xue Zhang, before picking up a 6-3, 6-7 (7-4), 6-3 victory against the No. 1 seed of qualifying singles Olga Blank from UNCW. 

Yurtkuran beat NCSU's Sophie Nelson, 6-3, 6-3, before winning in a three set match 6-1, 2-6, 6-4 against Alia Nour from Charleston Southern. 

Rios and Yurtkuran teamed up in doubles against Charlotte's Ekelund and Grosselius, but fell 9-8 (7-5), ending their doubles play in the tournament. 

Play at the USTA/ITA Carolina Regional Championships will continue Friday, Oct. 19, beginning at 9 a.m.

2012 USTA/ITA Carolina Regional Championships (Day 1)

Qualifying Singles

Annette Rios (UNCG) defeated Xue Zhang (Wake Forest), 6-3, 6-2

Annette Rios (UNCG) defeated Olga Blank (UNCW), 6-3, 6-7 (7-4), 6-3

Dilara Yurtkuran (UNCG) defeated Sophie Nelson (NCSU), 6-3, 6-3

Dilara Yurtkuran (UNCG) defeated Alia Nour (Charleston Southern), 6-1, 2-6, 6-4

 

Doubles

Ekelund/Grosselius (Charlotte) defeated Rios/Yurtkuran (UNCG), 9-8 (7-5)