NASHVILLE – Four Commodores depart Nashville Monday morning to travel cross country to Pacific Palisades, California where they will compete in the Riviera ITA All-American Championships.
This marks the 34th consecutive year that the Riviera Tennis Club in Pacific Palisades has invited the nation’s top Division-I women’s players to compete in the tournament.
The tournament opens up Tuesday morning with two days of qualifying matches where sophomore Amanda Meyer and junior Christina Rosca will fight for a chance at advancing to the main draw in singles play. This will mark Meyer’s first appearance at the Riviera ITA All-American Championships.
“It is incredibly exciting to be invited to such a prestigious tournament. I’m going to go in with no expectations and to compete and enjoy every match. I’m hoping to learn from my peers and my teammates more in this tournament,” said Meyer.
Meyer and Rosca are also set to compete in the qualifying rounds of doubles play as a duo along with senior doubles tandem, Fernanda Contreras and Summer Dvorak. Each pair will be required to win three matches in order to advance to the main draw of doubles play which will take place Oct. 4.
Meyer and Rosca will take on duo Rychagova/Smagina from Kansas while Contreras and Dvorak battle Michigan’s Fahey/Lommer for a shot at advancing to the Round of 16 Tuesday at 9 a.m. PT.
No. 7 Contreras will be entering the tournament in the main draw of singles play with high hopes of continuing her reign as champion of the Riviera ITA All-American Championships. Last season, Contreras defeated No. 29 Aliona Bolsova from Florida Atlantic for the championship title in a 6-3, 6-3 victory.
“I’m really excited to head back out to California, it’s my favorite tournament of the year by far. The courts, our host family, the environment, everything is superb.” said Contreras.
Contreras looks to become the two-time champion of the Riviera ITA All-American Championships after taking home the tournament singles titles last fall. But Contreras said she enters this week without pressure on her shoulders.
“I have no expectations,” Contreras said. “I really want to compete, give it my all, and have fun out there. Work and respect is the most important thing before and during the tournament. There’s nothing to defend, it’s a new year, new competitors and it should be a fun week out there. I’m very eager to head out with some of my teammates.”
The tournament has only seen four repeat winners over the years. Contreras will battle to add her name to the list beginning on Thursday.
For updates, checkout the ITA’s tournament page for nightly recaps and results as well as follow @Vandywtennis on Instagram and Twitter.
