Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG, Va. – Several members of the Virginia Tech men’s and women’s tennis teams competed in the ITA Summer Circuit Mid-Atlantic event on Saturday at the Burrows-Burleson Tennis Center in Blacksburg, Va.
On the men’s side fifth seeded Hunter Koontz opened up the first round with a 6-0, 6-0 sweep of Justin Taylor. Koontz followed that with a 6-1, 6-1 win against Peter Hawkins in the round of 32. On Sunday Koontz will face Edward Elliott in the round of 16.
Joining Koontz on the men’s side was Tech newcomer Aaron Gomez as a six seed in the event. Gomez had an opening round bye before defeating Brett Johnson in a tough three set match. After falling behind 6-4 in the opening set, Gomez rallied to take the next set 6-3 and the tiebreaker 11-9. Gomez will face Dillon Segur in the round of 16.
In doubles Koontz and Gomez teamed up as the two seed with an opening round bye. In the second round, the Tech pair defeated Mario Becerra and Thomas Cundy, 8-5.
Virginia Tech men’s tennis head coach Jim Thompson also got into the event, pairing up with Mark Rutkis for doubles. The pair defeated Allen Jackson and Paul Yamane, 9-8, in the opening round. In the second round, the duo knocked off No. 3 seeded Edward Elliott and Mark Schanerman, 9-8.
For the Hokie women’s team, newcomer Kelly Williford advanced in singles with an opening round bye before defeating Brook Mcamis, 3-6, 6-2, 10-5. Williford will play Frances Altick in the round of 16 on Sunday.
Tech’s Carol Kahoun picked up the seventh seed in the tournament and earned a first round bye. In the second round she dropped Caroline Baker in straight sets with scores of 6-1, 6-0. Kahoun will square off against Laura Wiley in the next round.
Rounding out the Hokies’ singles competitors was Emily Lauten who defeated Claire Spencer, 7-5, 6-2 in the first round. Nika Khmolovska held off Lauten in the second round with scores of 6-4, 6-2.
On the doubles side, Kahoun paired up with Sherry Li as the duo earned the No. 1 seed in the tournament and a first round bye. In the second round, Kahoun and Li downed Khmolovska and Brittany Pilkington, 8-2.
Lauten and Williford paired up for an opening round bye before defeating Sarah Rainwater and Grace Sarver, 8-3.
Lauten and Williford will square off against Kahoun and Li in the quarterfinals of the doubles matches.
Men’s Open Singles
64 - Hunter Koontz (5) def. Justin Taylor 6-0, 6-0
32 - Koontz def. Peter Hawkins 6-1, 6-1
64 – Aaron Gomez (6) Bye
32 – Gomez def. Brett Johnson 4-6, 6-3, 11-9
Men’s Open Doubles
32 – Koontz/Gomez (1) Bye
16 – Koontz/Gomez def. Mario Becerra/Thomas Cundy 8-5
32 – Jim Thompson/Mark Rutkis def. Allen Jackson/Paul Yamane 9-8
16 – Thompson/Rutkis def. Edward Elliott/Mark Schanerman (3) 9-8
Women’s Open Singles
64 – Kelly Williford Bye
32 – Williford def. Brooke Mcamis 3-6, 6-2, 10-5
64 – Carol Kahoun (7) Bye
32 – Kahoun def. Caroline Baker 6-1, 6-0
64 – Emily Lauten def. Claire Spncer 7-5, 6-2
32 – Nika Khmoloska def. Lauten 6-4, 6-2
Women’s Open Doubles
32 – Kahoun/Sherry Li (1) Bye
16 – Kahoun/Li def. Khmolovska/Brittany Pilkington 8-2
32 – Lauten/Williford Bye
16 – Lauten/Williford def. Sarah Rainwater/Grace Sarver 8-3