Boss Nets ITCA Title

Playing in pain from injuries that have plagued her for several months, sophomore Robin Boss claimed the Northeast regional of the Intercollegiate Tennis Coaches Association (HCA) at Penn Sunday.

In addition to the singles' title, Boss and doubles partner Kathy Vigna claimed the doubles championship. The victories mean that both Boss and Vigna will advance to the HCA national championships in Houston in February.

Boss, who was seeded fifth in the tourney, breezed through the first round and topped 12th-ranked Julie Sutton of Penn in the second round, 6-1, 6-3.

The Warwick, R.I. native was stretched to three sets for the only time all weekend by Boston College's Amy Richardson, the 13th-seed, 6-4, 5-7, 6-1.

Boss topped the University of Maryland's Claudia Borgiam, 7.5, 7.5 in the semi-finals after being down 5-1 in the second set.

Ninth-seeded Namratha Appo-Rao of William A. Mary jumped to a quick 4-0 lead over Boss in the finals with a stultifyingly slow game.

"I play a more aggressive style," Boss said. "You can't be aggressive when she's hitting everything back and moon-balling."

Boss eventually found her game and won 12 of the last 13 games and the match, 6-4, 6-1.

"It feels great," Boss said. I haven't won a singles tournament in the longest time.

"To know you can win something when you're not prepared is great. You think what could have done when you're prepared."

The Vigna Boss doubles team found even easier going than Boss did alone.

Sceded firs, the due breezed through the five rounds without losing a set.