Geier Battles in Riviera/ITA All-American Championships

Saturday, September 29

Pacific Palisades, CA

University of Akron

at Riviera/ITA Women's All-American Championships

Geier Battles in Riviera/ITA All-American Championships

September 29 | Women's Tennis

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PACIFIC PALISADES, Calif. – Redshirt senior Sophia Geier (Burgebrach, Germany) took Arizona State's Ilze Hattingh to three sets in the pre-qualifying round at the Riviera/ITA All-American Championships at the Riviera Tennis Club on Saturday.

Hattinghi won the first set, 6-2. Geier tied the match with a 6-2 win in the second set. Trialing 5-1 in the third set, Geier battled back, but ultimately fell, 7-5.

"I'm extremely proud of Sophia," head coach Brandon Padgett said. "It's difficult to step in and play at such a high level without seeing it consistently, but she did a phenomenal job today. She showed exceptional heart and determination to fight back from down 5-1 in the 3rd set. She should take great confidence from this match as the rest of the season unfolds."

Geier is the first Zip to qualify for the Riviera/ITA All-American Championships since Zara Harutyunyan (2009-12) and Prang Pantusart (2010-13) in 2010.

"Sophia proved to herself and others that she can absolutely play at this level, and I have full belief that this will help propel her to great things this year."

Akron travels to the Cleveland State Invitational on Oct. 5-7.