Northwestern University Athletics
Northwestern
ITA Regional Main Draw
Grier Cruises to Another ITA Midwest Title
10/28/2003 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
Oct. 28, 2003
2003 ITA Midwest Championships Singles Results
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KALAMAZOO, Mich. -- A Northwestern storm overtook Western Michigan University, site of this year's ITA Midwest Championships. When it passed, Cristelle Grier (Surrey, England/Putney) stood triumphantly.
Top-seeded Grier successfully defended her regional title with an easy 6-2, 6-2 win over Notre Dame's No. 2 seed Alicia Salas, making all of the sophomore's wins at the tournament straight-sets.
"It is very satisfying to come back and win the tournament a second time," said Grier, who improves to 7-1 this season. "Everyone is gunning for you because you're the defending champion, so it was good to get through those first couple of rounds."
Grier controlled the tempo of the entire match, never allowing her opponent to get into a rhythm.
"Salas is a great player, but Cristelle did not give her any opportunity to gain momentum," said head coach Claire Pollard. "She proved once again she was the best player in the tournament."
Last year, Grier topped former teammate Marine Piriou for the title.
Added Pollard: "Winning both the singles and doubles titles was a great accomplishment, and I'm very happy for her."
On Monday, Grier, along with teammate Jessica Rush (Dallas, Texas/The Hockaday School), also won the doubles championship.
"I felt I played pretty well (in both singles and doubles)," said Grier. "There are always up and downs in the game. Luckily, I had more ups than downs. "
Grier and the Wildcats return to action next week, when they travel to Dallas for the ITA National Indoor Championships.
