Oct. 5, 2008
CINCINNATI, Ohio - Ayano Tanaka took her C singles finals match into a third set tiebreaker but couldn't seal the win, falling to Xavier's Kelsey Kinnard, Sunday at the Queen City Invitational.
Tanaka, who was playing in her first career front draw title, came out flat but rebounded to push the match to three sets. After winning only one game in the first, the Owls sophomore turned it around with a solid ground game to even the match with a 6-4 second set win. Kinnard denied Tanaka the Owls third front draw title of the season, winning the third set 7-5.
"It was a tough start today, but I am proud of how Ayano fought back today," said Kennesaw State Head Coach Brandon Padgett. "She gained some valuable experience making it to her first final."
Morgan Carney was conceded her B flight consolation final after her opponent, Ball State's Sarah Hebble, did not play due to injury. Vera Shkundina won the A draw consolation final on Saturday after her semifinal and final opponents also did not play because of injuries.
The Owls will get three weeks off before traveling to Athens, Ga. for their last event of the season, the ITA Regional Championships, on October 24-27.
