Clayton State’s Cercelletti, Krommelova advance to women’s doubles semifinals at ITA Division II Southeast Regionals

SUMTER, S.C. - September 23-25 - Clayton State's doubles tandem of Marie Cercelletti and Ivana Krommelova made a strong push in the women's doubles "A" Division over the weekend at the ITA Division II Southeast Regionals at the Palmetto Tennis Center.

The Laker duo advanced to the "A" Division semifinals for the Lakers, providing the big highlight for Clayton State's weekend. Cercelletti and Krommelova were the only Clayton State players – singles and doubles – to advance past the Round of the 16 in the Regional.

Seeded second in the draw and earning a first-round bye, Cercelletti and Krommelova opened with an 8-4 victory over Georgia College's Kayla Barksdale and Ivana Marevic in the Round of 16, followed by another 8-4 triumph over Columbus State's Renata Paiva and Carolin Weikard in the quarterfinals.

Matched up against the fourth-seeded team Aleksandra Filipovski and Barbora Krtickova in the semifinals, Cercelletti and Krommelova dropped a tough 8-3 decision.

In singles action, Cercelletti advanced to the Round of 32 in the "A" Division, defeating Flagler's Jennifer Saviano 6-4,6-4 in the opening round before falling 6-2, 6-2 to top-seeded Krtickova from Armstrong Atlantic in the Round of 32. However, Krommelova suffered a first-round 6-4, 6-4 upset defeat to Clara Perez from Armstrong Atlantic.

In the women's singles "B" Division, Clayton State's Martina Dedaj advanced to the Round of 32. She drew a bye in the opening round, and then dropped a tough 6-3, 1-6, 6-4 decision to Helene Nordgreen from Montevallo. Also, the Lakers' Charlotte Fabricius fell 6-2, 6-1 in the first round to Young Harris' Charlotte Dawson.

Dedaj and teammate Jessica Budd dropped an 8-0 decision against Francis Marion's Kerry Hall and Kimberly Hurter in the women's doubles "B" Division.