Islanders Roll into Finals at Islander Open

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – The finals of the 2016 Islander Open presented by Kevin W. Liles, PC – Trial Lawyer will feature a distinct local flavor. Each final will have at least one Texas A&M-Corpus Christi representative, highlighted by an all-Islanders women's singles final.
 
The Islanders will take to the courts at 10 a.m. Sunday in each of the three remaining finals.
 
VETERANS CLASH FOR WOMEN'S TITLE
 
Two Islander veterans will duel for the right to stand atop the women's draw as senior Judit Vives and junior Jelena Dzinic have guaranteed the Islanders claim the title.
 
Vives opened her day by defeating fellow Islander Louise Trigona 6-2, 6-1, in the quarterfinals. Vives followed that up with an impressive win over Fabienne Gehwart of Sam Houston State. Gehwart, the Bearkats top player last season, won the fourth set 6-4 before Vives rallied for a 7-6 (5) win to force the super tiebreak third. The Islander earned her place in the final with a grueling 13-11 win in the tiebreak.
 
On the other side of the bracket, Dzinic cruised into the finals. The junior defeated Tara Donaho 6-0, 6-0 in her first match before taking down teammate Maria Maldonado 6-1, 6-0 in the semifinals.
 
Dzinic and Vives will meet at 10 a.m. Saturday for the title match.
 
BETTENDROFFER GRINDS INTO MEN'S FINAL
 
Senior Kevin Bettendroffer led the Islanders Saturday, making his way into the finals for a second consecutive season. He defeated teammate Paul Cook 1-6, 6-3, 14-12, in the morning quarterfinals to earn a spot in the semis. Facing Gerrardo Penchyna of Rice, Bettendroffer sailed into the finals in straight sets with the 6-2, 6-1 win.
 
Elsewhere in men's play, Biyik Akinshemoyin dropped a heartbreaking first set, falling 7-6 (5). The senior could not rally, falling in two sets in the quarterfinals. One court over, freshman Cagatay Soke also lost in the quarterfinal to an opponent from Rice. Soke went down 4-6, 6-7 to Jamie Malik. Malik will face Bettendroffer in Sunday's final.
 
TWICE AS NICE
 
In men's doubles action, the tandem of Paul Cook and Mitchell Cook battled their way into the final with a thrilling win. The Cooks upended Malik and Oscar Janglin of Rice in a see-saw affair, finally claiming a 7-5 victory.
 
The pair of Cooks will face the team of Santibanez and Powell from Lamar in the finals at 10 a.m. Sunday.
 
WOMEN'S DOUBLES SECOND
 
The pairing of Alexandra Belle and Louise Trigona finished second in the women's doubles competition. The Islanders defeated Casey and Milanovic from Sam Houston State 6-4 in the semifinals for their third win of the weekend.
 
Unfortunately, the two came up just short in the finals, falling to Buchta and Elfving of Lamar 6-3.
 
SUNDAY FINALS
 
The Islanders will be represented in each of the three remaining finals which begin at 10 a.m. All finals matches will be played at Thomas J. Henry Tennis Center at 400 Nile Drive.