Anderson, Van Nguyen Make ACI Final
September 11, 2015 | Women's Tennis
Flushing, N.Y.—The American Collegiate Invitational women's final is set to be an all-UCLA showdown, as former Bruins Robin Anderson and Chanelle Van Nguyen both downed their opponents in straight sets in the semifinals on Friday. The pair will face off on Saturday at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing, N.Y.
Unseeded Van Nguyen cruised past No. 3 seed Lauren Herring of Georgia, 6-3, 6-3. The former Bruin has not dropped a match throughout the entire tournament.
“My strategy was staying in the point with her,” said Van Nguyen of her match against Herring. “I knew it'd be longer points than it was against Brooke [Austin]. The ball is definitely different. Lauren puts more spin on it. I knew I'd have to be ready for her serve and for long points.”
Finishing her quarterfinal match that was suspended on Thursday due to rain, No. 2 seed Anderson eased into the semis after defeating Florida's Josie Kuhlman, 6-0, 6-2. Later Friday afternoon, Anderson took down Mississippi's Julia Jones in straights to advance to the ACI final.
“I felt that she started playing better and wasn't making any errors,” said Anderson of Jones' comeback in the second set. “I felt a little bit of pressure to start going for more of my shots. Then I started making some errors and she started coming back. In the end I just needed to be consistent and push through it.”
Van Nguyen and Anderson will play on court five following the Men's ACI final between fellow Bruin Mackenzie McDonald and Vanderbilt's Gonzales Austin.
“We're used to playing,” said Van Nguyen of her matchup against Anderson in the final. “She's one of my best friends on the court. We have no problems playing each other. I know she's playing well, so I'm just going to have fun out there and make it an exciting match.”
“I've known Chanelle for a very long time and we both know how each other plays,” said Anderson. “There won't be any surprises tomorrow.”
Day 2 Results of the American Collegiate Invitational
Women's Quarterfinals
No. 2 Robin Anderson (graduate, UCLA, Matawan, N.J.) def.
Josie Kuhlman (soph., Univ of Florida, Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.), 6-0, 6-2
Women's Semifinals
Chanelle Van Nguyen (graduate, UCLA, Miami) def.
No. 3 Lauren Herring (graduate, Univ. of Georgia, Greenville, N.C.), 6-3, 6-3
No. 2 Robin Anderson (graduate, UCLA, Matawan, N.J.) def.
Julia Jones (graduate, Ole Miss, St. Petersburg, Fla.), 6-1, 7-5
