Downey advances to Round of 32 in State tourney

Teresa Downey reached the Round of 32 at the State Individual with a 7-5, 7-5 victory.
Teresa Downey reached the Round of 32 at the State Individual with a 7-5, 7-5 victory.

SBCC freshman Teresa Downey won a tight match on Thursday to move into the Round of 32 in the State Women's Tennis Championships at the Ojai Tournament.

The left-hander, who's seeded 13th, had a first-round bye, then beat Jasmine Catolico of Fullerton 7-5, 7-5 at Ventura College. Downey will take on No. 4 seed Najah Simmons of Foothill on Thursday at Ventura, starting at 8 a.m.

Downey and Monica Kunz, who are 46 and 47 years old, respectively, cruised past Lovely Butor-Stepheanie Wee of De Anza 6-0, 6-1 in a first-round doubles match. Downey-Kunz returned to the Buena High courts a half-hour later and were eliminated in a match that couldn't have been closer. They lost 6-1, 4-6, 10-8 (pro tiebreaker) to No. 10 Jaella Conway-Marlayna Durant of Grossmont

SBCC's Gabriela McDaniel-Kenzie Usher fell in the first round to Jerrica Cox and Alyssa Mendoza of Reedley, 6-1, 6-2.