Lileikite Falls at Riviera Championships
PACIFIC PALISADES, Calif. – Miami’s Lina Lileikite fell to the nation’s 37th-ranked player in the final round of qualifying at the 28th Annual Riviera/ITA Women’s All-American Championships at the Riviera Tennis Club on Tuesday.
The Hurricane sophomore fell to Georgia’s Maho Kowase, 6-4, 6-2.
“Lina lost against a very talented and experienced player,” said assistant women’s tennis coach Alex Santos. “She had her chances in the first set, but I feel that she took valuable lesson from her first All-American Championship experience.
“She will continue to improve and she is leaving California as a more complete tennis player.”
In their qualifying doubles backdraw, Melissa Bolivar joined Lileikite to defeat the Weinreich/Weinstein tandem from Nebraska, 8-5.
“I felt that we were definitely more aggressive in our approach to the match,” Santos said. “In the beginning there was an adaptation period but as soon as we found our offensive rythym, we were very effective.
“I was proud the way Melissa carried herself in the tennis court and the energy she provided. If she is able to keep that energy, she will set herself up for a quality season.”
The Canes will return to the court on Oct. 12 when the will play host at the Miami Invite at the Neil Schiff Tennis Center.
