The Lake Forest College handball team began competition at the United States Handball Association Collegiate National Championships on Wednesday. Junior Maria Dugas was one of 12 Foresters to begin with a victory.
Dugas won 21-11, 21-4 in the first round of the Open/A/B Singles Division and is one of eight players, including three Foresters, to advance to remain in contention for a national title. Freshman Sandy Ng posted a convincing 21-3, 21-1 victory and senior Sarah Brusig prevailed 21-11, 21-0 in the opening round. Senior Nicole Moser was the only Forester to fall in the first round of the Open/A/B bracket.
Both of the Lake Forest men in the Open/A/B Singles Division were victorious on Wednesday. Senior Nikolai Nahorniak defeated his opponent 21-4, 21-10 while classmate Victor Perez triumphed 21-4, 21-6.
Three of the four Forester men in the A/B/C Singles bracket recorded a victory. Senior Pat Jarvis won 21-9, 21-17, junior Riley Kloss came from behind for a grueling 15-21, 21-19, 11-8 triumph, and sophomore Isaac Acosta routed his opponent 21-3, 21-4. Junior Dan Sterrett was edged out 11-21, 21-16, 10-11.
Lake Forest seniors Bianca Greene (21-15, 21-3) and Emma Swanson (21-2, 21-2) advanced past the opening round of the Women's B/C/I Singles Division.
The Foresters were also 2-for-2 in the Men's B/C/I Singles bracket, where sophomores Derrick Contreras (21-6, 21-2) and Justin Novak (21-20, 6-21, 11-7) prevailed on Wednesday.
Play will continue and additional Lake Forest players will make their 2011 USHA Collegiate National Championships debut on Thursday. Doubles competition will also begin on Thursday, the second day of the 5-day event.
