BLACKSBURG, Va. - Saint Joseph's junior Amanda Nava opened play in the main singles draw at the 2019 ITA Atlantic Regional Women's Tennis Championships on Saturday.

Nava fell in the Round of 64 to Gabriela Davidescu of VCU, 6-1, 1-6, 7-6 (5).

“Amanda lost an extremely tough battle to VCU's Davidescu,” head coach Ian Crookenden said.  “After losing the opening set, 6-1, Amanda settled down and returned the compliment with a 6-1 win in the second playing some tennis of an extremely high caliber.  The battle was joined and in the third set both competitors were hitting winners from all points of the court.

“Amanda dropped serve at 5-5 but then won it back on a match point deuce point as it was no ad scoring.  Davidescu jumped to a 6-3 lead in the deciding set tie breaker and finally won it 7-5 after Amanda fought back. It was a match of high quality and high drama.”

In consolation doubles action, freshmen Anna Kirk and Stow Weiss fell, 8-7, to a pairing from Radford.

Nava will play a consolation match on Sunday.