Sophomore Despoina Vogasari has now defeated five out of nine nationally ranked opponents she has played in just this season. Vogasari looks to continue adept play Friday morning. | File Photo/The Cougar
Sophomore Despoina Vogasari began her run in New York for the USTA/ITA National Indoor Intercollegiate Championships Thursday and finished with a huge win over the No. 15 ranked player.
Vogasari entered the tournament as No. 68 in the nation and was matched up with No. 15 Zoe Scandalis of USC for her first round of play. Vogasari picked the victory after dominant 6-1 and 6-1 matches.
Vogasari’s advancing win marks the highest-ranked opponent that the Cougar has defeated, as well as the fifth of nine nationally ranked opponents she has taken down this season.
The win was also big for head coach Patrick Sullivan, as Scandalis is the highest-ranked competitor to be defeated by a Cougar under his coaching.
“Playing one of the best players in the nation, I knew that I had to bring a clear game plan into the match and not give away easy points,” Vogasari said Thursday afternoon.
Vogasari now advances to the round of 16 in the National Championships to face No. 43 Maegan Manasse of Cal. The two met earlier in the year at the Riviera/ITA Women’s All-American Championships in Los Angeles in September, resulting in a 6-2, 6-2 win for Manasse over Vogasari.
With the momentum from Thursday’s victory, Vogasari looks to have a strong showing Friday morning.
