Oct. 4, 2008

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Columbia, Mo. – The sun was shining, there was a slight breeze and four Tigers played side-by-side on the outdoor courts at the Green Tennis Center. It doesn't get much better than that. Missouri's “Ace For A Cure” tournament continued on Saturday (Oct. 4) as day-two action commenced at 10:30 a.m. in Columbia. The day began with the final round of doubles followed by a round of singles to determine who would play in the championship matches. Each match was played with pink tennis balls.

Before three Tigers earned bids to their respective championship match, a pair of Missouri women claimed top spot in the Pink, Black and Gold Doubles 3 bracket. Sofia Ayala and Kaitlin Dunham faced Illinois' senior Shivani Dave` and sophomore Annie McCarthy. The MU duo started the day off right with an 8-5 win over the Illini pair and was named Pink, Black and Gold Doubles 3 bracket champions.

After the round of doubles each team headed over to the Missouri Press Box in Memorial Stadium to enjoy a much-deserved lunch. As the tournament participants and coaches took lunch Missy Clayton, a member from the Susan B. Komen cancer research organization, spoke about the organization, their goals and appreciation for the tournament.

“It was a great lunch,” said SMU's assistant coach Patrick Sullivan. “It was a nice break in the day.”

When the women finished with lunch everyone headed back to the Green Tennis Center to begin singles play.

As Missouri filled the outdoor courts Jessica Giuggioli went to work indoors. Giuggioli faced Chelcie Abajian of Illinois. A close first match, 7-5, found Giuggioli on top. In the second set Giugiolli would not allow as many points and set down Abajian 6-2. With the win Giuggioli became the first Tiger to earn a bid to Sunday's (Oct. 5) championship round. She will face Van Aerde in the final match of the Pink, Black and Gold 1 singles bracket.

While four Tigers played outside spectators filled the bleachers on the north side of the outdoor courts. Among the Missouri players were Jamie Mera, Mallory Weber, Ayala and Dunham. Ayala would finish first taking down Cardinal junior Lindsey Jones. After a close first set, 6-4, Ayala put Jones away with a 6-1 victory. The win earned Ayala a spot in Sunday's championship match of the Pink, Black and Gold 2 singles bracket. After Weber was defeated by Dave` 6-3, 6-3, the courts cleared a bit for full view of Dunham's healthy win over Casey Kennedy of SMU. Dunham defeated Kennedy 6-1, 6-1. Dunham will compete in Sunday's consolation championship in the Pink, Black and Gold 3 singles bracket. Jamie Mera went into three sets with Louisville's Jo-Ann Van Aerde, but fell 4-6, 6-3, 6-2.

The final day of the “Ace For A Cure” tournament will begin Sunday (Oct. 5) at 10 a.m. Play will include the final singles draws followed by draw-backs from each bracket.