Fitzsimmons advances to quarterfinals at the NJCAA Tournament

The Pima Community College women's tennis team completed its first two days of competition at the NJCAA Division I National Tournament.

Freshman Ashley Fitzsimmons (Walden Grove HS) advanced to Tuesday's quarterfinals in the No. 5 singles flight. She beat Jenna Lyons from Mississippi Gulf Coast 6-2, 6-0 in the first round and trounced ACCAC rival Ashlyn Trejo from Eastern Arizona College 6-1, 6-1 in the round of 16.

Sophomore Lien Nguyen won her opening round match in the No. 4 singles flight over Amanda Lowery from Meridian Community College (MS) 6-0, 6-2 but fell in her round of 16 match to No. 1 ranked Yuna Ito from Tyler Junior College (TX) 6-1, 6-0.

Sophomore Jayme Shafer (Tucson HS) earned a shutout win in her opening round match at No. 6 singles over Kathy Clouthier from New Mexico Military Institute 6-0, 6-0. She lost to No. 6 ranked Yusra Hegy from Seward Community College (KS) 6-3, 6-0 in her round of 16 match.

In the No. 3 singles flight, freshman Meghan Houk (Corona del Sol HS) dropped her opening round match to Katheryne Valencia from Seminole State College (OK) 6-0, 6-4. She came back in the consolation round to beat Sofia Samra from Harford Community College (MD) 8-1.

Sophomore Emma Oropeza (Nogales HS) lost her opening round match to Julia McCarty from Meridian CC 6-0, 6-2 and then fell in the consolation round to Mireia Jordan from Jones County Junior College (MS) 8-3.

Sophomore Janine Fernando (Sabino HS) faced a tough draw in the first round as she fell to No. 5 ranked Sarah Manseri from Eastern Florida 6-2, 6-0. She lost in the consolation round to Emily Graves from Wallace State Community College (AL) 8-5.

Oropeza and Fernando won their first round match at No. 1 doubles over Caitlin Gallagher and Elizabeth Towell from Waubonsee Community College (IL) 6-1, 6-1. They were blanked in the round of 16 by No. 4 ranked Valentine Gonzalez and Mariam Mujawimana from Seminole State 6-0, 6-0.

In the No. 2 doubles flight, Houk and Nguyen fought back to force a third set but fell in the opening round to Jenna Groene and Sarah Hammer from Barton CC in three sets 6-2, 3-6, 6-3. They earned a bye to the consolation quarterfinal round.

Fitzsimmons and No. 3 doubles partner Shafer lost to Olivia Hayes and Emily Cheshier from Central Alabama 6-0, 6-3. They earned a bye to the consolation quarterfinal round.

The Aztecs continue play in the NJCAA Division I Tournament on Tuesday at the Waco Regional Tennis and Fitness Center.

(No. 3 Singles Flight Consolation Quarterfinals): Meghan Houk vs. Ashton Tewell, Lewis & Clark (IL)

(No. 5 Singles Quarterfinals): Ashley Fitzsimmons vs. (2) Shaylee Syme, Hillsborough (FL)

(No. 2 Doubles Consolation Quarterfinals): Meghan Houk/Lien Nguyen vs. Ashlynn Miller/Kasey Steward, Jacksonville (TX)

(No. 3 Doubles Consolation Quarterfinals): Ashley Fitzsimmons/Jayme Shafer vs. Ksenija Dmitrovic/Thamires Lima, Barton CC (KS)