University of Missouri
Big 5 Challenge
Fukutoku Wins Singles Flight at Big 5 Challenge
9/23/2018 6:59:00 PM | Tennis
FORT WORTH, Texas - Freshman Lisa Fukutoku (Tokyo, Japan) claimed a singles flight title with a perfect 3-0 as the Mizzou tennis team wrapped up action at the Big 5 Challenge at TCU's Bayard H. Friedman Tennis Center in Fort Worth, Texas. Fukutoku knocked off Arizona State's Lauryn John-Baptiste, ranked No. 46 nationally, in Sunday's championship round.
TOP TIGERS
Fukutoku concluded her stellar tournament with a 6-4, 6-1 win over John-Baptiste Sunday morning to win her flight. She is a perfect 5-0 in singles matches so far this fall, with a 3-0 mark at the Big 5 Challenge and a 2-0 record at last weekend's Mizzou Invite, and has yet to play a three-set match.
Other Tigers recording wins during Sunday play included juniors Mackenzy Middlebrooks (Fort Lauderdale, Florida) and Gabrielle Goldin (Bradenton, Florida) and sophomore Taylor Gruber (Spicewood, Texas).
Middlebrooks improved to 3-1 at the Challenge with a 6-3, 6-3 win over Kennedy Bridgforth of Texas Tech on Sunday. Additionally, Gruber earned a 7-6, 3-6, 1-0 (10-4) victory over Texas Tech's Francesca Sella, and Goldin defeated Isa Di Laura, also of Texas Tech, 6-2, 5-7, 1-0 (10-6).
QUOTABLES
Mizzou Head Coach Colt Gaston
"This weekend was a great opportunity for us to get out and compete against some of the top teams in college tennis. I thought the team did a great job of raising their bar every match and overall competed at a high level. These tournaments are about getting better and building toward our overall goal, and I saw us really make some strides this weekend. We look forward to getting back at it next week."
Mizzou Day 4 Results
Singles
Lisa Fukutoku (MIZ) def. No. 46 Lauryn John-Baptiste (ASU), 6-4, 6-1
Felicity Maltby (TTU) def. Serena Nash (MIZ), 7-5, 6-1
Mackenzy Middlebrooks (MIZ) def. Kennedy Bridgforth (TTU), 6-3, 6-3
Lana Rush (TTU) def. Ellie Wright (MIZ), 6-2, 6-0
Nell Miller (TTU) def. Vivien Ábrahám (MIZ), 4-6, 6-3, 1-0 (11-9)
Taylor Gruber (MIZ) def. Francesca Sella (TTU), 7-6, 3-6, 1-0 (10-4)
Sydney Jones (TTU) def. Marta Oliveira (MIZ), 6-2, 7-5
Gabrielle Goldin (MIZ) def.Isa Di Laura (TTU), 6-2, 5-7, 1-0 (10-6)
Doubles
Nell Miller/Felcity Maltby (TTU) def. Mackenzy Middlebrooks/Ellie Wright (MIZ), 7-6 (1)
Lana Rush/Kennedy Bridgforth (TTU) def. Serena Nash/Lisa Fukutoku (MIZ), 6-4
Sydney Jones/Francesca Sella (TTU) def. Taylor Gruber/Vivien Abraham (MIZ), 6-4
Players Mentioned
