Bolivar, Wagner Win at Southeast Regional

TAMPA – Miami’s Melissa Bolivar and Stefanie Wagner each won two singles matches and advanced to the round of 16 at the USTA/ITA Southeast Regional at USF’s Varsity and P.E. courts on Friday.

In the opening round, Bolivar cruised to a 6-1, 6-0 victory over FAU’s N. Basma and in her second round match, the junior jumped out to another 6-0 advantage in the first set against UNF’s L. Aviles. She was so impressive that assistant women’s tennis coach Alex Santos said, “Bolivar played one of her best first sets I have seen since she has been in college.”

Aviles responded in the second set pushing the match to a tie break. However, Bolivar proved too much, winning the match, 6-0, 7-6 (1).

Wagner, a freshman out of Germany, also won each of her matches in straight sets. Dispatching FSU’s F. Segarelli, 6-4, 6-2 and FIU’s G. Boha, 6-4, 6-1.   

Santos said, “Steph beat a very experienced player in the first round and her game is just starting to come into its own.”

In doubles, juniors Brittany Dubins and Nicolle Stracar easily defeated the USF Parker/Pyne combo, 8-2. Saturday they will face Georgia State’s duo of Tere-Apisah/Grgan.

“I felt Dubins and Stracar did a great job staying aggressive and looking for their best shots,” Santos said.

Even though they weren’t victorious in their opening round matches, Miami’s Deborah Suarez and Brittany Dubins will each be able to end their singles games on a high note as they will compete in the tournament’s back draw beginning Saturday at 9 a.m.

“Deborah and Brittany had a tough day on the singles court, but I’m looking forward to see them bounce back tomorrow,” Santos added.

Check HurricaneSports.com throughout the weekend for match recaps and brackets.