Kansas tennis capped off the 2019 fall slate with two big wins in two different states.
In Tempe, Ariz., sophomore Malkia Ngounoue defeated No. 26 Chiara Lommer of Michigan by a 6-2, 7-6 (2) decision while Carmen Roxana Manu clipped Gia Cohen of Georgia Tech (7-6, 6-1) in Las Vegas.
The Jayhawks ended the fall season on high with Sofia Smagina picking up a three-set victory over Michigan. Luniuska Delgado and Julia Deming found a way in doubles action with at 6-4 win over Notre Dame. KU ended the Thunderbird Invitational with an 8-4 singles record and a 4-1 doubles mark.
In Las Vegas, Manu competed in the Flight Two Singles finals match where she dominated in a 7-6, 6-1 battle. Vasiliki Karvouni fell to Mississippi’s Tereza Janatova by the result of 6-2, 6-3. The pair later competed in doubles against Colorado’s Antonia Balzert and Ellie Puzak. Manu and Vasiliki Karvouni came out victorious (8-4).
The spring season for Kansas will begin Jan. 10, when the team travels to Orlando for the Orlando Invitational.
2019 THUNDERBIRD INVITATIONAL
Nov. 10, 2019
Whiteman Tennis Center, Tempe, Ariz.
SINGLES
Smagina (KU) def. Hammond (UM) – 6-0, 4-6, 1-0(8)
Ngounoue (KU) def. #26 Lommer (UM) – 6-2, 7-6(5)
Bella Lorenzini (UM) def. Delgado (KU) – 6-2, 6-3
Anca Craciun (UM) def. Deming (KU) – 3-6, 6-0, 1-0(8)
DOUBLES
Ilze Hattingh/Sammi Hampton (ASU) def. Smagina/Ngounoue (KU) – 7-5
Delgado/Deming (KU) def. Julia Lilien/Bess Waldram (ND) – 6-4
2019 REBEL TENNIS WOMEN’S INVITATIONAL
Nov. 10, 2019
At Fertitta Tennis Complex, Las Vegas
FLIGHT ONE SINGLES CONSOLATION
Tereza Janatova (MISS) def. Karvouni (KU) 6-2, 6-3
FLIGHT TWO SINGLES FINAL
Roxana Manu (KU) def. Cohen (GT) 7-6, 6-1
FLIGHT ONE DOUBLES CONSOLATION
Karvouni/Carmen Manu (KU) def. Balzert/Puzak (CU) 8-4