Vaez gains semifinals

10/23/2004

COLUMBUS - Notre Dame Academy junior Neela Vaez breezed into the girls Division I state tennis semifinals today with a pair of straight-set victories yesterday at the Stickney Tennis Center on the campus of Ohio State.

The junior who is playing in her third state tournament opened with a 6-1, 6-0 victory over Beavercreek sophomore Shyma Ramalingam, then defeated Kristen Gambrell, a junior from Rocky River Magnificat, 6-1, 6-4.

Vaez will meet Centerville senior Kelly Douple in the semifinals today.

The Northview doubles team of Nikki Dzubay and Jane Pilewski won their first match in Division I, 6-1, 6-3 over Reynoldsburg's Lauren Tellings and Rebecca Paige, but lost in the second round, 6-3, 7-5, to Madora Mak and Sydnee Bridger of Upper Arlington.

There were no other victories posted by northwest Ohio netters.

In Division I doubles, sophomore Lindsay Shaeffer and freshman Mallory Messenger of Perrysburg dropped a 4-6, 6-2, 6-1 decision to Mary Mak and Stephanie Jenkins of Upper Arlington.

In Division II singles, Cara Wald of Dayton Oakwood defeated Jaci McLean of Port Clinton 6-0, 6-0; Akiki Kanda of Tipp City Tippecanoe topped Maumee Valley's Anita Dewan 6-4, 6-4, and Tricia Brinck beat Maumee Valley's Sheweta Pai 6-2, 7-5.

In Division II doubles, Lindsey Fleissner and Ashley Kurtz of Cuyahoga Falls Walsh Jesuit defeated Eleesa Haase and Amanda Auzins of Napoleon 6-1, 6-2.