MOBILE, Ala. - Marian University freshman and 2009 Intercollegiate Tennis Association Midwest Regional champion Paola Usina (Indianapolis, Ind./Cathedral) fell in her first round match at the 2009 ITA National Small College Championships in Mobile, Ala., on Thursday.

Usina won the first set, 6-2, before dropping the second set, 2-6. Adriana Gonzalez of McKendree University (Ill.) finished the victory with a 6-1 win in the third and deciding set to advance to the semfinals.

"Paola came out strong and I really thought she had her after the first set," said head coach Cassie Lomison. "She was hitting winners, but then her opponent turned it on and pulled it off. I am very proud of the way Paola played today."

Usina will compete on Friday against No. 2-seeded Morgane Zwoczak of Auburn University-Montgomery for an opportunity to compete for fifth place in the nation on Saturday in Mobile, Ala.