Sept. 21, 2008
Photo Gallery 
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. - Vera Shkundina did what no other KSU women's tennis player has done before Sunday, winning the A2 singles draw at the University of Tennessee Chattanooga's Steve Baras Fall Classic in her first collegiate tournament.
The 16-year-old freshman from Ufa, Russia was masterful at the Champions Club, winning all of her matches in straight-sets to take the title. After dropping only nine games on her way to the finals, Shkundina swept away Southern Illinois' Vashakha Sheoran 7-5, 6-1 to remain undefeated.
Sheoran, who was ranked as high as number 271 in the world as a junior, was the highest ranked opponent that Shkundina has defeated in her career.
Shkundina is the first Owl freshman to take a front draw title since Agatha Palider accomplished the feat at last year's Wilmington Invitational.
"Vera played a great match in the finals," said Kennesaw State Head Coach Brandon Padgett. "She fought hard late in the first set and cruised from there."
Courtney Cox couldn't prevail in the C1 consolation finals, falling in a tiebreaker to Lee's Kelli Miller. Cox battled back from a set down to tie the match, but lost a close one in the 10-point tiebreaker when Miller closed the win 6-2, 2-6, 10-6.
Lindsay Dillon was also defeated in her consolation finals match. Though she pushed the first set into an extra game, Dillon couldn't clinch and was beaten 7-5, 6-2 by UTC's Brianna Wishing in the C2 bracket.
"I am extremely proud of how well our team played this weekend," added Padgett. "We are really excited about this excellent start to our fall season."
The Owls will get less than a week off before they travel to Norfolk, Va. for the Old Dominion Invitational on September 26-28.
Sunday's Results
A2 Finals - Vera Shkundina def. Vashakha Sheoran (SIU) 7-5, 6-1
C1 Cons. Finals - Kelli Miller (Lee) def. Courtney Cox 6-2, 2-6, 10-6
C2 Cons. Finals - Brianna Wishing (UTC) def. Lindsay Dillon 7-5, 6-2
