October 1, 2004

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. -- Virginia Tech used strong doubles and a solid performance from two of its' singles players to complete a successful first day at the Wake Forest Invitational being played at the Leighton Stadium Courts on the Wake Forest University campus.

Felice Lam (Sr., Seattle, Wash.)/J.J. Larson (Fr., Orchard Park, N.Y.), the tournament's top seed and winners of last week's William & Mary Invitational, received a first round bye in Flight A then cruised past Ashleigh Murray/Laura Swain (Charlotte), 8-5 to advance to the semifinals. The Tech duo will face Kristin James/Diana Srebrovic (Virginia) Saturday morning at 9:30. The Hokies other Flight A team also enjoyed success on Friday as Anat Elazari (Jr., Tiberias, Israel)/Ashley James (So., Williamsburg, Va.) defeated Lucille Lkeyhans/Ana Maria Simanca (Winthrop), 8-6 in the first round then defeated second-seed and 50^th-ranked Jenna Loeb/Katie Martzolf (Wake Forest) 9-8 (5) to advance to the semifinals. The Tech pair will battle Kate LaCoste/Lisa Suggs (UNC Greensboro) Saturday at 9:30 a.m.

In Flight B doubles action, Kate Harrington (Fr., Richmond, Va.)/Jessica Long (Fr., Elizabethtown, Pa.) defeated Simon Foltyn/Kiera Strickland (Georgia State) 8-5 in the opening round before falling 8-6 in the quarterfinals to Margot Carter/Kay Nglam. They will play in the fifth-place bracket Saturday at 8:30 a.m. against Borkowski/Kate Levitt (Davidson). Gabriela Carvalho (Fr., Rock Hill, S.C.)/Bethan James (Fr., Flintshire, UK) lost their first match, 8-6, versus Melisa Cansando/Maja Russinova (Tennessee Tech). The Hokie pair will take on Rebecca Jameson/Meredith Skeeters (Davidson) Saturday at 8:30 p.m. in the consolation bracket.

The Hokies advanced both of its' players in Flight A singles competition as Elazari, seeded second and ranked No. 73 nationally, defeated Carter (Tennessee Tech) 7-5, 6-2. Elazari will take on Jenna Loeb (Wake Forest) Saturday in the quarterfinals. In the other half of the draw, Larson beat Kelly Fillinow (Davidson) 4-6, 7-6 (1), 10-6 and will face top-seed Diana Srebrovic (Virginia) Saturday in the quarters.

In Flight B, Ashley James defeated Emily Wade (UNC Greensboro) 6-4, 6-3 and plays Marina Fillnow (Davidson) Saturday in the quarterfinals. Lam dropped a tight 7-6 (4), 5-7, 10-5 opening round match against Rachel Delpriore (Virginia) and will face Kleyhans (Winthrop) in the consolation round Saturday.

Tech lost both first round matches in Flight C as Bethan James fell 6-1, 7-5 to Kelsey Linville (Davidson) and received a bye into the consolation semifinals late Saturday afternoon. Long lost 6-3, 7-6 (5) to Blakely Offutt (Wake Forest) and will play Simanca (Winthrop) in the consolation quarters Saturday.

Harrington won her Flight D opening match 6-2, 6-1 over Rebecca Jameson (Davidson) and takes on Danielle Schwartz (Wake Forest ) in the quarterfinals Saturday. Carvalho lost a tough 6-3, 4-6 10-4 first round match against Kim Whelan (Davidson) and received a bye in the the Flight D consolation semis.

Complete results may be obtained at www.wakeforestsports.com.