Weatherholt Defeats 30th-Ranked Player in Nation

Los Angeles, Calif. - Nebraska sophomore Mary Weatherholt split a pair of singles matches at the Riviera All American Championships on Tuesday evening. Both matches were against players ranked in the top 70 in the nation. Weatherholt came in to the tournament with a national ranking of 110th.

Weatherholt fell to No. 69 Jennifer Widjaja from Pacific in three sets, 6-3, 4-6, 6-1, in the first round of qualifying play at the tournament.

"Mary's effort was incredible," Assistant Coach Hayden Perez said. "She competed with a lot of heart. She battled back after losing the first set and really dug deep. We are so proud of her and the way she competed."

Just minutes after losing to Widjaja, Weatherholt came back and defeated the 30th-ranked player in the country, Sara Fransler of USC, 6-3, 5-7, 6-4. Weatherholt increased her fall win total to six with the victory over Fransler.

"It was an incredible match," Perez said. "The intensity was awesome and both players battled hard. Neither deserved to lose. Mary's focus and determination at the end helped her through."

Weatherholt will face Sophie Grabinski of North Carolina on Wednesday as she looks to advance to the Main Draw of the Riviera All American Championships.

Results
No. 69 Jennifer Widjaja (Pacific) def. Mary Weatherholt, 6-3, 4-6, 6-1
Mary Weatherholt def. No. 30 Sara Fransler (USC), 6-3, 5-7, 6-4