MT picks up six wins in day one of Hokie Invite

• Friday Results/Draws

BLACKSBURG, Va. - Middle Tennessee women's tennis picked up six victories in day one of the Hokie Fall Invitational at the Burrows-Burleson Tennis Center at Virginia Tech.

In doubles action, the combo of Nayara Moraes and Irina Constantinide picked up two wins on Friday. In the first contest, the MT duo knocked out Wofford's Mareli Sanchez/Lucy Schmerhorn, 8-4. In the second round, Moraes/Constantinide knocked off Armstrong Atlantic's Clara Perez/Jessica Gardefjord, 8-3, to advance to the semi-finals in the B bracket. Moraes/Constantinide face UNC Wilmington at 8am on Saturday.

In the A doubles bracket, Yuiri Nomoto and Flavia Nagayama battled in extra sets to defeat Liberty's Alexandra Sheeran/Nicola Wellman, 9-8 (5-0). However, the tandem fell 8-1 to Virginia Tech's Ilinca Stoica/Isel Martinez.

In singles action, senior Nomoto knocked off the Hokies' Carol Kahoun in straight sets, 6-4, 6-3. Nomoto plays on Saturday against Armstrong Atlantic's Aleksandra Filipovski.

Nagayama won handily over Wofford's Emily Przystawski (6-3, 6-0) to advance on Saturday. The junior takes on VT's Raluca Mita in the second round.

In the C bracket, Moraes fell 6-1, 6-3 to Radford's Taylor Newman. Moraes moves to the consolation bracket and will play Audrey Coventry from Wofford College.

In her collegiate debut, Constantinide knocked off Frances Peyton, 6-0, 6-2 to advance. The Romania native plays UNCW's Miller Hales Saturday at Noon.

Overall, it was a strong day according to second year head coach Shelley Godwin.

"This was a good start for everyone as we were able to play quality singles and doubles matches across the board," noted Godwin. "It is important for us to come out tomorrow ready to go and to keep making necessary improvements."

Action begins at 8am Central tomorrow. Fans can follow live results here and a recap will follow after all matches are completed.

Singles competition

A1: Nomoto, Yuiri (Middle Tennessee) def. Carol Kahoun (Virginia Tech) 6-4, 6-3

B1: Nagayama, Flavia (Middle Tennessee) def. Emily Przystawski (Wofford) 6-3, 6-0

C1: Taylor Newman (Radford) def. Moraes, Nayara (Middle Tennessee) 6-1, 6-3

D1: Constantinide, Irina (Middle Tennessee) def. Frances Peyton (Virginia Tech) 6-0, 6-2

Doubles competition

A1: Nomoto, Yuiri/Nagayama, Flavia (Middle Tennessee) def. Alexandra Sheeran/Nicola Wellman (Liberty) 9-8 (5-0) 

B1: Moraes, Nayara/Constantinide, Irina (Middle Tennessee) def. Mareli Sanchez/Lucy Schermerhorn (Wofford) 8-4

A2: Ilinca Stoica/Isel Martinez-Marcos (Virginia Tech) def. Nomoto, Yuiri/Nagayama, Flavia (Middle Tennessee) 8-1

B2: Moraes, Nayara/Constantinide, Irina (Middle Tennessee) def. Clara Perez/Jessica Gardefjord (Armstrong Atlantic) 8-3

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