Oct. 15, 2015
Central Regional Page | USTA/ITA Regional Central | Follow @MSUBearsTennis
STILLWATER - Missouri State seniors Miranda Poile and Ema Turudija got off to a strong start Thursday, Oct. 15, at the USTA/ITA Women's Central Region Championship by picking up two victories in doubles to advance to the Round of 16 at the Michael & Anne Greenwood Tennis Center.
The Bears' tandem of Poile and Turudija opened the day by capturing Missouri State's first win at a regional since the 2004-2005 season, defeating South Dakota State's Tacy Haws-Lay and Beatriz Souza 8-3.
Poile and Turudija moved to the second round to face the Big 12's Kansas State squad of Sara Castelllano and Carolina Costamagna. MSU's Poile and Turudija continued their doubles success, beating the Wildcats' doubles team 8-4 to advance to the Round of 16.
The Bears' duo will face Minnesota's Julie Courter and Paula Rincon-Otero in the regional's third round.
Poile went undefeated in action Thursday by also winning her lone singles match of the day in straight sets 6-2, 6-4 to advance to the second round of the main draw.
Turudija dropped her opening singles match 6-2, 6-2 to Tulsa's Rongrong Leenabanchong, while MSU sophomore Anelisse Torrico Moreno lost her opening match to Kansas' Summer Collins 6-3, 6-4.
"We had a very solid start to this tournament today," Bears head coach Mallory Weber said. "We brought a lot of energy out there, especially in doubles, and competed hard all day."
The Bears continue action on the campus of Oklahoma State with main draw and back draw singles matches beginning at 9 a.m. Friday, Oct. 16 at the Greenwood Tennis Center.
USTA/ITA Central Region Championship - Day 1
Doubles
First Round
Miranda Poile/Ema Turudija (Missouri State) def. Tacy Haws-Lay/Beatriz Souza (South Dakota State) 8-3
Second Round
Miranda Poile/Ema Turudija (Missouri State) def. Sara Castellano/Carolina Costamagna (Kansas State) 8-4
Singles
First Round
Rongrong Leenabanchong (Tulsa) def. Ema Turudija (Missouri State) 6-2, 6-2
Miranda Poile (Missouri State) def. Elif Gabb (South Dakota State) 6-2, 6-4
Summer Collins (Kansas) def. Anelisse Torrico Moreno (Missouri State) 6-3, 6-4
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