Final Results

GENEVA, NY (September 26) – After nine matches in a whirlwind three days, freshman Ava Sadeghi of the Vassar College women's tennis team won the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) Northeast Regional Championships and became the program's first player to advance to the singles tournament of the ITA Small College Championships in Mobile, Alabama on October 13-16.

In just her second event as a Brewer, the No. 5 seeded freshman defeated Skidmore's Nataly Mendoza 6-2, 6-3 in the semifinals and University of Rochester's Frances Tseng 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 in the finals. In the tournament hosted by Hobart and William Smith Colleges, Sadeghi won six singles matches and did not drop a set until today's final.

“Ava's relaxed nature helped her to focus on one match at a time,” said head coach Kathy Campbell. “On court her behavior was very composed and her confidence started growing after the first couple wins. It wasn't long before she believed she could win it all.”

The final against Tseng lasted two hours and 45 minutes as Sadeghi won the third set 6-4 to claim the match. Both players were very aggressive on the return and traded breaks until the ninth game when Sadeghi held serve to take a 5-4 lead. She broke Tseng at love in the next game to clinch the match.

“In the last game, Ava attacked every serve and every groundstroke,” said Campbell. “It was a gutsy way to finish a tight match.”

Sadeghi jumped out to an early lead with a 6-3 win in the first set but dropped the second set 6-4.
“It was a really long match with lots of long points and both players had great attacking and defensive games,” said Campbell.

In the quarterfinals, Sadeghi knocked off the No. 1 seed and reigning champion Karisse Bendijo of TCNJ 6-2, 6-4. In doubles, Sadeghi teamed with sophomore Lindsay Kantor and reached the quarterfinals.

As a team, each of Vassar's four participants reached the final of a main draw or back draw and three went on to win the final. Junior Natalie Santiago and freshman Samantha Schapiro won the doubles consolation bracket with an 8-4 victory over Jennifer Kraham and Jane Selegean of Hunter. Kantor won four singles matches before falling to Danielle Schreck of Rochester in the consolation singles final.

“The whole team deserves a lot of credit for their performance as each player experienced a final,” said Campbell. “There was a very positive and supportive team dynamic so we've set the bar high for the rest of the season.”

The ITA Small College Championships will take place in Mobile, Alabama from October 13-16 and feature the eight regional champions in a seeded tournament. In 2006, Vassar's Debbie Sharnak and Kelly Graham won the ITA Regional doubles tournament and competed in the ITA Small College Championships.

“This is a superb opportunity to showcase another strong player from Vassar,” said Campbell. “Ava earned her spot and has a really good chance to advance through the draw at the Small College Championships.”