Tulane University
ITA Riviera All-American
Nancy Kockott Has Brilliant Run at ITA All-American
Oct 25, 2004 | Women's Tennis
Oct. 25, 2004
PACIFIC PALISADES, Calif. - Senior Nancy Kockott won three matches in the qualifying round to advance to the main draw of the ITA Riviera All-American Tournament last weekend in California.
Kockott, who is ranked No. 85 in the nation, posted three victories in the qualifying rounds before facing two powerful foes in the main draw and being eliminated. In qualifying, she defeated #34 Michelle DaCosta from Michigan and #52 Joslynn Burkett from Arizona State in straight sets. She then topped TCU's Helena Besovic to advance to the main draw.
However, Kockott was stopped by Miami's Megan Bradley in the opening round of the main draw. Bradley is ranked No. 2 in the nation. And the consolation round was no easier as the Tulane standout was stopped by ninth-ranked Aibika Kalsarieva from Kentucky.
"Nancy served well and was very sharp attacking and finishing points at the net," head coach David Schumacher said. "Her consistency from the baseline allowed her to hang until she had the op. to attack. When she plays that way, she is capable of beating anybody."
Sophomore Darya Ivanov also had a solid tournament, posting a pair of wins over ranked opponents in qualifying. The 66th-ranked Ivanov rolled to a pair of straight-set victories, defeating No. 30 Sasha Podkolzina from Cal and No. 51 Dominika Dieskova from Oregon.
"It shows that Darya is capable of playing at a very high level," Schumacher said. "She did a good job of being patient and developing the points and then finishing with aggressive shot making."
Fifty-third ranked Maria Ivanov opened the qualifying rounds with a grueling 6-7, 6-0, 6-3 victory over 68th-ranked Jennifer Zika from Duke, but she was eliminated by Ole Miss' 43rd-ranked Chloe Carlotti.
Kockott was not just impressive in singles either, as she and Julie Smekodub, who are ranked No. 33 in the nation in doubles, posted three wins over ranked foes in the consolation qualifying rounds.
Tulane returns to action next weekend, competing at the ITA Southwest Regional Championships.
