She might be the third seed, but Katy Lowe had no idea what to expect going into her first Thomas E. Price Metropolitan Tennis Tournament. Lowe, a 1997 graduate of DePaul University and a 1997 NCAA All-American, just moved to Cincinnati one year ago. She said competing in a tournament and not knowing anybody in it had its advantages.
"It's neat because I don't really have any expectations," Lowe said. "Not only that, but it's fun because nobody really knows who you are."
Lowe defeated Kristen Wolf 6-1, 6-4 in the first round of the women's singles tournament. Despite not knowing what to expect of the field of 30 women, Lowe said she was looking forward to her next match with Mary Ann Srenco.
"First rounds are never easy," said Lowe. "I'm just glad it's over and I can go on to the next one."
Lowe had an easy first set with Wolf but found herself playing less aggressively in the second set, causing a closer score.
"I think we both played more defensively in the second set, especially me," Lowe said. "I started losing my concentration and I just didn't go for as much."
Lowe plays at Harper's Point Racquet Club, but lately has been spending a lot of time at Lunken playing with her doubles partner, Christie Brannon. Brannon, the No. 5 seed in the tournament, lost to unranked Julianna Hite on Monday night, 6-1, 6-4.
Sixth-seeded Lindsey Molony pulled out a 6-0, 6-0 win over Norton Roberts. Molony, the younger sister of No. 2 seed Kara Molony, is playing in her second Met tournament. She said her goals were higher this year.
"I hope to get to the semifinals," Molony said. "I've really improved since last year."
Molony, a junior-to-be at Notre Dame Academy, lost to eventual champion Heather Hairston in the quarterfinals last year. They could meet this year in the semifinals.
After taking eight years off from tennis, Ashley Brother returns as the No. 8 seed. In her first match, she beat 1998 Walnut Hills graduate Amber Pipkins 6-0, 6-4.
Brother said she was 19 and attending UC when she played in her first Met. Now 31, Brother said she was happy to get a ranking, especially since she had gotten married since her last Met.
"I feel very fortunate," said Brother, who just started playing again eight months ago. "They even recognized my married name, which always makes you feel good."
In men's doubles, No. 5 seed Rey Puentes and Josh Osswald beat No. 10 seed Tony Lamy and Troy Helmers 6-4, 6-4.
Puentes and Osswald, playing in their first Met together, will face each other in singles tonight.
