Reynolds takes consolation title

Wildcat rallies to win last two matches; Steenkamp bounced early

CORPUS CHRISTI -- ACU sophomore Colleen Reynolds captured the consolation championship Saturday morning at the ITA Small College National Championships, played at the HEB Tennis Center.

Reynolds, who lost her first match Thursday, rallied to win both of her matches in the consolation bracket. On the men's side, Casper Steenkamp lost his first two matches and was eliminated Friday morning in the consolation semifinals.  Both Reynolds and Steenkamp earned their way into the national tournament by winning ITA Central Region championships earlier in the fall.

Reynolds dropped her opening-round match on Thursday, falling 6-4, 6-0 to Cornelia Grunes of Barry (Fla.). She then rallied Friday morning to stay alive in the tournament, beating Jen Ikeda of Northern Colorado, 3-6, 6-3, 6-2, in the consolation semifinals.

She then went on to win the consolation singles title with a 6-2, 7-5 in over Jessie Bungo, 6-2, 7-5.

Steenkamp got off to a bad start Thursday with a 6-2, 6-1 loss to Richard Stempnowski of Florida-Gulf Coast.  He then lost his consolation semifinal match against Peter Veselovsky of Dowling College, 6-4, 4-6, 6-1.