DRAW

WICHITA FALLS, Texas – Midwestern State's Kayla Casey became the Mustangs first woman to win the ITA South Central Regional title with her women's singles title this weekend at the MSU Tennis Center.
 
Casey, a junior from Franklin, Texas who was seeded third in the tournament, claimed the regional championship with a 6-3, 7-6 victory fourth seeded Cristina Lopez of St. Mary's.
 
The victory advances Davidson to the USTA/ITA Small College Championships Oct. 9-12 at the Palmetto Tennis Center in Sumter, S.C.
 
 "This is a great win for Kayla and our program," said MSU Coach Scott Linn.  "She played great and was really focused in this weekend.  It's a credit to her to take an ITA Regional."
 
Casey was facing an opponent playing her first match of the day in the final on Sunday.
 
Lopez semifinal against 16th seed Natalie Gennissen of Dallas Baptist wasn't played when Gennissen withdrew, while Casey moved in to the final with a tough three-set affair with ninth seeded Angie Torres of Cameron.  Casey claimed the semifinal with a 6-3, 6-7, 6-2 win.
 
"We needed this regional win to take the next step for our program," Linn said.  "It really was a team effort to get someone to the nationals, because your teammates help get you through."
 
Casey was the only MSU player to advance in singles past the third round, as 13th seed Courtney Anderson fell to Lopez 6-2, 6-1, and eighth seeded Taylor Coffman lost to seventh seeded Sasha Khadzhyan of St. Edward's 6-2, 6-2.
 
On the doubles side, MSU had two duos advance to the quarterfinals before falling.
 
Third seeded Casey/Coffman lost to fourth seed Felicity Delgado/Kerry Wiegand of St. Mary's 8-4 in the quarters, while sixth seeded Anderson/Lauren Pineda lost to St. Mary's fourth seeded Jamie Lee Denton/Kaylin Kruseman 8-5.
 
The doubles regional title went to St. Mary's top-seeded Lopez/Mariana Rong who beat teammates Denton/Kruseman 8-2.
 
Casey will be joined in South Carolina by men's teammate Kyle Davidson, who won the men's singles title.
 
One note to mention from the women's singles back draw, a consolation for those who lost in opening round play, MSU freshman Alexis Arrieta defeated MSU sophomore Paige Boykin 7-6, 6-4 in the back draw final.