Sept. 21, 2008

By Megan Kramper
www.SIUSalukis.com

Chattanooga, Tenn. - Fadazi Mawisire showed her talent once again this weekend as she won the No. 1 singles flight at the Steve Baras Fall Classic in Chattanooga, Tennessee and paired with Ame Blacketer to win the No. 1 doubles flight.

Mawisire, who was ranked No. 3 in the tournament, defeated 2008 Ohio Valley Conference player of the year Viviane Marani in the quarterfinals to advance to the finals, where she beat Svetlana Pimenova of Eastern Kentucky University, 6-4, 6-2 to take home her second individual title this season and in her career at SIU.

Head Coach Audra Nothwehr said she was impressed with individual performances this weekend.

"I thought we represented SIU well at this tournament. We're starting to find our confidence out on the court. Everyone performed well and is showing growth," Nothwehr said.

Mawisire paired with Ame Blacketer in the No. 1 doubles final defeating Cassidy Cunitz, and Anne Pennington of Murray State University.

Vishakha Sheoran, Blacketer, and Andrea Courtney also made it to the finals of the No. 2, No. 3, and No. 6 flights respectively but were defeated in their final matches.

"Andrea Courtney especially has made huge improvements to her game since last season," Nothwehr said. "Ame Blacketer looks well healed and 100% after taking a year off for medical red-shirt for her shoulder. Fadzai and Vishakha keep improving and impressing us each time they take the court."

The Salukis will return to action on Oct. 10 where they will take part in the MVC Individual Championships in East Lansing, Michigan.

Women's A2 Singles Main Draw Final: Shkundina, Vera (Kennesaw) def. Sheoran, Vishakaha (SIU), 7-5; 6-1 Consolation Final: Coffey, Taylor (MTSU) def. Anic, Sara (Lee), 6-0; 6-3

Women's B1 Singles Main Draw Final: Anand, Sonia (4) (Wofford) def. Blacketer, Ame (1) (SIU), 6-1; 7-6(4) Consolation Final: Hangstefer, Emily (3) (UTC) def. Keevil, Elizabeth (Lipscomb), 6-3; 6-3

Women's B2 Singles Main Draw Final: Chemin, Marlene (1) (MTSU) def. Toulch, Dara (Memphis), 4-6; 6-4; 6-0 Consolation Final: Mhirit, Myriem (EKU) def. Renesto, Juliana (2) (JSU), 6-4; 2-6; 1-0(10-8)

Women's C1 Singles Main Draw Final: Euers, Jemma (2) (EKU) def. Ottosen, Lyndsay (MSU), 6-3; 6-3 Consolation Final: Miller, Kelli (Lee) def. Cox, Courtney (Kennesaw), 6-2; 2-6; 1-0(10-6)

Women's C2 Singles Main Draw Final: Cohen, Stephanie (3) (Mercer) def. Courtney, Andrea (SIU), 6-4; 6-0 Consolation Final: Wishing, Brianna (UTC) def. Dillon, Lindsey (Kennesaw), 7-5; 6-2

Women's A1 Doubles Final: Blacketer, Ame-Mawisire, Fadzai (SIU) def. Cunitz, Cassidy-Pennington, Anne (MSU), 8-5 Final: Chemin, Marlene-Coffey, Taylor (2) (MTSU) def. Euers, Jemma-Faure, Anouk (3) (EKU), 8-6 Final: Alvarez, Adriana-Ottosen, Lyndsay (1) (MSU) vs. Green, Annie-Wishing, Brianna (UTC), 9-8(8-6)