Georgia Gwinnett College senior Justine Lespes went the distance Friday afternoon to earn a victory that has advanced her to the semifinal round of the women's singles draw in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association Cup, taking place this weekend at the Rome Tennis Center in Rome, Georgia.

DRAWS: SINGLES | DOUBLES

Lespes defeated Lucy Carpenter of Loyola University (Louisiana) after three grueling sets in a quarterfinal match. The tournament's No. 3 seed won the deciding third set by a 6-3 score. She captured the opening set 6-3 before Carpenter responded with a 6-1 victory in the second set.

That set up the exciting third set.

Lespes will now face top-seeded Violet Apisah of Keiser University (Florida) in one of Saturday's semifinal matches, starting at noon.

Later in the day, the GGC doubles team of senior Isid Hernandez and Lespes lost a straight-set quarterfinal match by 6-2, 7-5 scores to the tournament's No. 3 seed from Keiser.

Coach's Corner
"Justine showed her experience and grit in her singles match. She played a great player and came through in three sets. Justine is really finding her way in this tournament and is ready for tomorrow's semifinal. Doubles was tough for a new team. They showed some great moments to build off for the spring," said Head Coach Hannah Keeling.
 
Up Next
Semifinal-round matches in the ITA Cup's singles draw will be Saturday, October 12, in Rome, Georgia, starting at noon.