Four singles players advance after first round of national championships
TUCSON. Four singles players advanced to the round of 16 for the Mesa women's tennis team at the NJCAA Division I National Championship Sunday. The event is being played at the Reffkin Tennis Center.
Rachael Eshillonu, playing at No. 1, Sheridan Skarda (Fr., Mesa, AZ/Red Mountain H.S.), Desiree Curiel (So., Globe-Miami, AZ/Miami H.S.) and Sydney Madsen (So., Orem, Utah/Perry (AZ) H.S.) all moved forward.
After the first day of play Mesa was tied for 14th place with six points.
Eshillonu defeated Hailigh Carper, of Harford, 6-1, 6-0 at No. 1 singles and will play first-seeded Macarena Oliveras, of ASA at 10:00 a.m. Monday morning.
Skarda took her match at No. 3 over Claire Rousaville, of Jones Co., 6-4, 6-2. She wiil face Joyce Talbot, of Seminole State at 9:00 a.m.
Curiel, seeded eighth, was a 6-2, 6-2 winner against Amanda Hawskins, of New Mexico Military, at No. 4 and will face off against ACCAC rival Erma Hernandez, of Pima, at 7:30 a.m. Curiel won both matches the two played in the regular season.
Madson drew a bye in the first round and will square off against Jami Daugherty, of Meridian, at 7:30 a.m.
Two Mesa singles players fell in the first round.
Michelle Fourier (Fr., Chicago, Ill/Saguaro H.S.) fell to Caroine Terry, of Meridian, 1-6, 0-6, at No. 2 and Vanessa Mitrica (So., Mesa, AZ/Red Mountain H.S.) lost to Abby Mundel, of Lewis & Clark, 0-6, 1-6. They will both begin the consolation round Monday.
All three of MCC's doubles teams were defeated.
Eshillonu and Skarda lost to Michelle Chenaly, of Florida State-Jacksonville, 4-6, 2-6. Curiel and Fournier were beaten by Lauryn Sullins and Logyn Williams, of Cowley Co., 1-6, 0-6 and Madsen and Mitrica fell to Shali Scoepflin, of Cowley Co., 1-6, 0-6.