Sophomore Julie Vrabel

Two Irish Players Fall In The Qualifying Round Of The ITA Midwest Regional Championships

Oct. 10, 2013

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Junior Molly O’Koniewski, sophomore Julie Vrabel and freshman Jane Fennelly kicked off Irish play today at the ITA Midwest Regional Championships, hosted by the University of Michigan at the Varsity Tennis Center.

Today marked the beginning of the singles qualifying round of the six-day tournament, with the main draws for both singles and doubles starting tomorrow.

Results were somewhat mixed for the Irish on day one. O’Koniewski fell in her first match this morning to Emily Meyers of Michigan State in an incredibly close three-set match, 7-5, 3-6, 6-4. And although she came back to beat Eastern Michigan’s Ankita Bhatia in her morning match, 5-7, 6-3, 6-2, Fennelly lost this afternoon to Toledo’s Chrissy Coffman, 7-5, 6-2.

Vrabel was given a buy this morning before cruising by Louise Kwong of Illinois, 6-2, 6-0. She will play Nino Mebuke of Eastern Michigan tomorrow morning, and if she wins, Vrabel will be playing in the main draw of the tournament alongside her teammates seniors Britney Sanders and Jennifer Kellner and freshmen Mary Closs and Monica Robinson.

“I thought we competed hard today,” says assistant coach Catrina Thompson, who traveled up to Ann Arbor with the three girls. “Julie Vrabel plays tomorrow for her chance to get into the main draw. She had a good win today and played a good match, and if she plays tomorrow the way she played today, I think she has a very good chance of making it.”

Doubles play also begins tomorrow, with four teams competing for the Irish. Be sure to check in at UND.com to stay updated.

–Lauren Chval, Media Relations Assistant

–ND–