Islanders tennis endures rain-soaked Monday at Islanders Open

CORPUS CHRISTI - The Texas A&M - Corpus Christi tennis program endured another rain-soaked day as the women's side of the bracket completed play in the 2010 Islanders Open.

The day started out at the Corpus Christi Athletic Club and ended up at the HEB Tennis Center with both organizations doing whatever they could to accommodate the matches.

"The fact that we got this tournament in over this weekend with it flooding is really a tribute to this tennis community," said Director of Tennis Steve Moore. "The Corpus Christi Athletic Club and Billy Morehouse along with the HEB Tennis Center and Cory Brooks keeping their clubs and their courts open for us beyond working hours has us grateful beyond words.

"I always say this is the best tennis community in the United States, and this weekend is just another reason why I believe that. The pros at both clubs gave up their entire weekends to come and keep their clubs open so we could play this tournament. I can't thank the coaches, athletic trainers and support personnel enough."

Islanders No. 1 player Mirna Cicak, the defending champion, advanced in singles play with a 6-4, 6-4 win before falling 6-3, 6-4 to Bryony Hunter of Houston in the semifinals.

Islanders Stefania Nicolae and LeAnne Mascall played tough matches before falling to competitors from UH. In doubles action, Cicak and Nicolae lost 8-3 to a Hunter and Pozzan from UH.

"I'm very proud of Mirna and our young girls, they competed extremely hard today," said Moore. "Our teams captains on both sides were very good leaders and we competed very well this weekend against stiff competition."

Monday marked the final day of play for the women's participants as both finalists in singles and doubles are from Houston and agreed to play the finals at a later date.

"I salute Houston and Rice, they played very well this weekend," said Moore. "This was a very high quality college tennis tournament and we were proud to host it."

With the men's bracket being an all-Islanders affair, the tournament will be completed later this week so the tennis facilities could accommodate the conclusion of the women's bracket.

Next up for the Islanders teams are tournaments next weekend. The men's team will travel to Waco to take part in the Baylor HEB Invite while the women head to Louisiana to play in the Louisiana-Lafayette Fall Invite.

For more information and full results on all Islanders tennis action, visit www.GoIslanders.com.

Singles:

Quarterfinals:

Kim Anciete (Rice) 7-5, 7-6 over Maja Kazimieruk (UH)

Giorgia Pozzan (UH) 6-3, 6-2 over LeAnne Mascall (Islanders)

Mirna Cicak (Islanders) 6-4, 6-4 over Joanna Kacprzyk (UH)

Bryony Hunter (UH) 6-3, 6-2 over Stefania Nicolae (Islanders)

Semifinals:

Pozzan (UH) 6-3, 6-2 over Anciete (Rice)

Hunter (UH) 6-3, 6-4 over Cicak (Islanders)

Doubles:

Quarterfinals: