PACIFIC PALISADES, Calif. - In her first foray on the national stage, Drake junior women's tennis player Maddie Johnson (Onalaska, Wis.) came up short in her bid to advance in the pre-qualifying draw at the Riviera/Intercollegiate Tennis Association All-American Championships on Saturday (Sept. 27).

"Great experience for Maddie (Johnson) today," Drake head coach Sadhaf Pervez commented. "Being at this tournament is huge motivation for her to know you are right there with some of the best players in the country."

The 119th-rated player in the country, Johnson battled Boston College's Jessica Wacnik before coming up short in a 6-2, 6-4 setback.

"We had eight no AD points and only capitalized on two," said Pervez. "The new scoring system is something we need to get adjusted to. The top players are going to be aggressive on big points and that is something we will need to get better at."

Johnson and the rest of her Drake teammates return to action on Friday (Oct. 3) as the Bulldogs host the Missouri Valley Conference Individuals at the Roger Knapp Tennis Center.

RIVIERA/ITA ALL-AMERICAN CHAMPIONSHIPS

SEPT. 27, 2014 • PACIFIC PALISADES, CALIF.

SINGLES:

Jessica Wacnik (BC) def. Maddie Johnson (DU), 6-2, 6-4