TEMPE, Ariz. Against some of its strongest opponents of the fall season, the Kansas State women’s tennis team still managed to advance two past the first round of singles and doubles play at the Arizona State Thunderbird Invitational held Friday at the Whiteman Tennis Center.

Senior Paulina Castillejos was the lone Wildcat to advance in singles action of the main draw. After dropping her first set to ASU’s Sabrina Capannalo, Castillejos rebounded back in the second and third for a 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, victory. Preseason No. 90-ranked Nicole Havlicek of California later halted her run with a 6-2, 6-3, defeat in the second round.

Doubles action proved better for the Wildcats as Castillejos and junior Maria Rosenberg defeated Purdue’s Hala Sufi and Brittany Reitz, 8-4, to move on to tomorrow’s second round. Prior to doubles play, Rosenberg beat ASU’s Paulie Fabian in straight sets, 6-0, 6-0, in the consolation round of singles.

“From our disappointing play at regionals, traveling to ASU was an opportunity for us to improve and get better,” Head Coach Steve Bietau said. “We were very excited to get back on the court and play outdoors in warmer weather. The great thing about today is that we had a chance to play someone good every time we stepped on the court, which will only make us stronger in preparation for the spring season.”

Teams from host ASU, Cal, Duke, Purdue, Rice and UNLV competed. Ten opponents were ranked in the preseason top 100 in singles and seven in the preseason top 50 in doubles.

The Wildcats will close out second round and consolation play of main draw doubles tomorrow at 9 a.m. (PT).

2003 ASU Thunderbird Invitational
Nov. 7-9, 2003
at Tempe, Ariz.

SINGLES
Main Draw First Round
Joslynn Burkett (Arizona State) def. Judith Diaz (Kansas State), 6-2, 6-0.
(75) Amy Walgenbach (Purdue) def. Haley McIver (Kansas State), 6-1, 6-4.
Shawna Zuccarini (Purdue) def. Maria Rosenberg (Kansas State), 2-6, 6-4, 6-3.
Paulina Castillejos (Kansas State) def. Sabrina Capannolo (Arizona State), 4-6, 6-3, 6-2.
Main Draw Second Round
(90) Nicole Havlicek (Cal) def. Paulina Castillejos (Kansas State), 6-2, 6-3.
Consolation
Cindy Treber (UNLV) def. Judith Diaz (Kansas State), 6-3, 6-3.
Parker Goyer (Duke) def. Haley McIver (Kansas State), 6-1, 6-4.
Maria Rosenberg (Kansas State) def. Paulie Fabian (Arizona State), 6-0, 6-0.

DOUBLES
Main Draw First Round
Castillejos/Rosenberg (Kansas State) def. Reitz/Sufi (Purdue), 8-4.
(49) Colalillo/Sureephong (Arizona State) def. Diaz/McIver (Kansas State), 8-4.