Nov. 3, 2011

FLUSHING, N.Y.- Senior Diana Nakic came from behind to take down on of the top eight players at the USTA/ITA National Intercollegiate Indoor Championships on Thursday at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing, N.Y.

"What makes Diana special is her ability to make adjustments during a match," assistant coach Alison Ojeda said. "(Robin) Anderson outplayed Diana in the first set. She could have just sat back and let (Anderson) take it to us, but Diana was able to make the adjustments and respond with aggressive tactical play. It was a just a great match to watch, and one that will definitely benefit Diana moving forward."

Nakic, ranked 28th in the nation entering the tournament, couldn't get the momentum going in the first set against UCLA's Robin Anderson, seeded in the 5-8 range. Anderson dominated the first set 6-1, but it was Nakic that came out of the break seemingly in control.

Over the next two sets, Nakic controlled the action, going 6-2, 6-2 to move on to the Round of 16 in the 32-player special invite field.

On Friday, Nakic will face North Carolina's Lauren McHale, a first-round winner over Alabama's No. 27 Mary Anne MacFarlane, 6-2, 7-5.

Nakic had earned her berth into the tournament by winning the USTA/ITA Texas Regional in Fort Worth, Texas, two weeks ago.