The University of Mississippi Athletics
Lady Rebel Netters Advance At All-American Championships
10/21/1999 | Women's Tennis
Oct. 21, 1999
LOS ANGELES - The Ole Miss women's tennis team is the only school to have three players in the round of 16 in singles at the prestigious Riviera All-American Championships, as all three Lady Rebels won their opening matches, Thursday.
Celeste Frey, ranked 16th in the nation, defeated 23rd-ranked Erica Perkins of Washington State 6-2, 7-5. She will meet Martina Nedelkova of VCU, who upset the No. 2 seed in the tournament, in the second round.
Ivona Mihailova split sets with LSU's Bruna Colosio but was too much in the third set taking a 6-4, 4-6, 6-0 win to set up a meeting with Georgia's Esther Knox in the second round. Mihailova is ranked No. 21 in the country, while Knox is 27th.
Freshman sensation Mira Radu continues to play well in the grand slams, posting a huge win over 29th-ranked Amanda Basica of UCLA 6-3, 7-6(3). She has now won four matches in a row including three to advance to the main draw. Radu will face Lauren Kalvaria of Stanford (defending NCAA Champions), in the second round.
In doubles, Frey and Mariana Eberle, the nation's fifth-ranked team, came back to beat Nedelkova and Andrea Ondrisova of VCU 1-6, 6-4, 6-3 in the first round. They will face Carlijn Buis and Delphine Troch of William & Mary in the quarterfinal round.
"The All-American is a great collegiate event with one of the strongest fields of any tournament in the country," head coach Jerry Montgomery said. "It's a tribute that all three singles players won their matches against nationally-ranked players, and our doubles team won their match. It gives us a good start in the tournament."
The All-American Championships is the second leg of the collegiate grand slam. The 32- player singles and 16-team doubles draws feature many of the nation's top players. The Lady Rebels have claimed the singles title twice, in 1991 and 1992.
RIVIERA ALL-AMERICAN CHAMPIONSHIPS - Los Angeles
SINGLES
First round - Ivona Mihailova (OM) def. Bruna Colosio (LSU) 6-4, 4-6, 6-0, Celeste Frey (OM) def. Erica Perkins (WSU) 6-2, 7-5, Mira Radu (OM) def. Amanda Basica (UCLA) 6-3, 7-6(3).
DOUBLES
First round - Frey/Mariana Eberle (OM) def. Martina Nedelkova/Andrea Ondrisova (VCU) 1-6, 6-4, 6-3.