Oct. 8, 2004

USAFA - Two rounds of singles and one round of doubles is complete for the University Denver women's tennis team at the end day one at the USAFA Invitational. Sophomore Crystal Knysh (Encinitas, Calif.) remains undefeated, while Rachel Sackmaster (Alpharetta, Ga.), Stephanie Ginsburg (Englewood, Colo.) and Marisa Mechem (Fredericksburg, Texas) are all 1-1 after two rounds.

After two rounds sophomore Crystal Knysh (Encinitas, Calif.) is undefeated beating Jessica Vanderdys of Colorado 6-4, 6-2, and Colorado State's Carla Pallares 6-4, 6-2.

Sackmaster dominated Dash Zhurin of Colorado State, 6-1, 6-2 before falling to Colorado's Lynzee Kever, 6-2, 6-2. Ginsburg won her first match coming from behind 0-6, 6-4, 7-6 (2) against Ciara Finucane of Georgia Southern before losing to Colorado's Kendra Strandemo. Mechem had a rollercoaster of an afternoon, first beating UTEP's Katherine Palider, 6-4, 1-6, 7-5 before falling to Lucy Scott of New Mexico 6-4, 4-6, 6-4.

Both doubles duos were defeated in round one. Sackmaster/Mechem fell to Zhurin/Kirchem of CSU, 8-6, and Ginsburg/Knysh were defeated by New Mexico's Ryba/Quintal.

Play resumes on Saturday at the Air Force outdoor tennis courts.

Singles Round One
Flight 1
Rachel Sackmaster (DU) def. Dash Zhurin (CSU), 6-1, 6-2
Flight 2
Stephanie Ginsburg (DU) def. Ciara Finucane (GSU), 0-6, 6-4, 7-6(2)
Flight 3
Marisa Mechem (DU) def. Katherine Palider (UTEP), 6-4, 1-6, 7-5
Flight 4
Crystal Knysh (DU) def. Jessica Vanderdys (CU), 6-4, 6-2
Singles Second Round
Flight 1
WB - Lynzee Kever (CU) def. Rachel Sackmaster (DU), 6-2, 6-2
Flight 2
WB - Kendra Strandemo (CU) def. Stephanie Ginsburg (DU), 6-3, 6-1
Flight 3
WB - Lucy Scott (UNM) def. Marisa Mechem (DU), 6-4, 4-6, 6-4
Flight 4
WB - Crystal Knysh (DU) def. Carla Pallares (CSU), 6-4, 6-2
Doubles round 1
Flight 1
Zhurin/Kirchem (CSU) def. Sackmaster/Mechem (DU), 8-6
Flight 2
Ryba/Quintal (UNM) def. Ginsburg/Knysh (DU), 9-8(5)