Kaluder opens with victory at SEC Fall Coaches tournament

ATHENS, Ga. — Ela Kaluder picked up a pair ofopening round victories in the always tough top flight of singles on the first day of action at the Southeastern Conference Fall Coaches’ Classic.

Kaluder defeated South Carolina’s Gira Schofeld, 6-4, 6-1, to advance to the round of eight against Daria Ivanoff.

"This was a great win for Ela," UA head coach Michael Hegarty said. "It seems every player in the top flight is a ranked player, and to pick up a high quality win in the first round is perfect."

Kaluder stayed on a straight set roll by defeating Ivanoff in a tiebreaker pair, 7-6 (6), 6-1.

"This was right where we wanted Ela to be, in the semifinals, which guarantees her two more matches and two matches against high-quality ranked players."

Arkansas’ doubles team of Nanar Airapetian and Melissa Hoffmeister lost their opening match in the B flight doubles to Kelly Adams and Jill Hastenrath of Auburn, 8-4, but rebounded with a 9-7 win in the consolation against Nicole Kantor and Ashley Murdock of LSU.

In singles, Airapetian and Hoffmeister each won their opening matches. Airapetian defeated Ashley Murdock of LSU, 6-3, 6-1, to advance to the round of eight while Hoffmeister downed Christine Johnston, 6-2, 6-1.

Play continues at the UGA tennis courts through the weekend.