Feb. 17, 2006

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - TCU sophomore Nicole Leimbach, ranked fifth in the ITA polls, won her first-round qualifying match 5-7, 6-4, 6-3 over Connor Vogel at the 2006 Regions Morgan Keegan Championships.

Currently, Leimbach has a 2-0 record for the spring season and holds the same mark in doubles.

The Regions Morgan Keegan Championships, which benefit the St. Jude Children's Hospital, is the only one in the world that is held at a private club and features the top players both on the women's and men's side. Tennis greats such as Lindsay Davenport (1997), Venus Williams (1999 and 2000) and Monica Seles (2000 and 2001) have competed in the event. Pete Sampras (1996), Andy Roddick (2002) and Taylor Dent (2003) have made appearances on the men's side.

Leimbach came to TCU after spending her first season at Southern California. She ranked No. 3 in the nation for singles to begin the fall season, which was a TCU record for highest appearance in a poll. The Colorado Springs, Colo., native finished the fall ranked No. 1 in the ITA Southwest Region.

Action resumes on Saturday when Leimbach takes on Meng Yuan, who is the No. 1 seed for the qualifying rounds and currently holds a WTA rank of 111. Match time is to be determined.