Nov. 6, 2008
EVANSTON, Ill. -- Northwestern opened play at the ITA National Indoor Singles Championships in Charlottesville, Va., Thursday, and posted a 2-1 record in first-round matches. ITA Midwest Regional champion Samantha Murray advanced along with sophomore Maria Mosolova.
Murray defeated Laura Vallverdu of Miami (Fla.) in a tight three-set match after dropping the first set, 3-6. Murray rallied to take the last two sets, 6-2, 7-5. Fourth-seeded Mosolova won her opening contest against Wiveca Swarting of Nebraska, 6-2, 6-3.
A year ago, Mosolova lost her first-round match but went on to win four straight matches to win the consolation bracket.
Seventh-seeded Georgia Rose fell in an upset to Claire Ilcinkas of California, 6-3, 6-4.
Round of 16 play begins in Charlottesville on Thursday when Murray takes on Nina Munch-Soegaard, who upset third-seeded Amanda McDowell of Georgia Tech, and Mosolova competes against Marrit Boonstra of Florida.
Complete tournament coverage can be found at virginiasports.com.