Comeback wins lead women’s team to strong weekend

The women’s tennis team had a promising beginning to its season at the Intercollegiate Tennis Association Southeast Regional on Sept. 23 to 26. 

Six ladies from the tennis team represented GC in Sumpter, S.C. in their first tournament of the fall. During the fall season, all the results are done individually and the ladies play in both doubles and singles matches. There are two different flights; the A flight, made up of the team’s players ranked first, second and third, and the B flight, made up of the players ranked fourth, fifth and sixth.

“Everyone played very well, and we got some answers in regards to the team and where we are headed,” Head Coach Steve Barsby said.

In the first day of the tournament, the Bobcats performed well and got a solid start to the weekend.

Junior May Johnson moved into the second round and beat her opponent 6-7, 6-4, 6-4.

Sophomore Ivana Marevic, new to the team, started off her season by beating her opponent 6-2, 6-3, and advancing into the next round. Sophomore Lisa Setyon, did not make it through to the second round, losing to her opponent 6-4, 6-0.

In the singles B flight, freshman Leah Pridgeon advanced all the way to the semifinal round, where she was defeated by her opponent, Jane Plevako, from Young Harris College, 6-2, 6-4.

Also making it to the semifinal round in the singles B flight was junior Michelle Lingner. Lingner advanced through four rounds to face her opponent Charlotte Dawson of Young Harris, but lost, 6-1, 6-3.

This tournament was the first time Lingner competed in the B flight.

“I didn’t really know what to expect. Because I’d been in A flight, I never really looked at the B flight,” Lingner said. “My first match was tough and long. After that, I was focused on getting through the next two. Overall, though, I’m really pleased with how I did, but I’m still looking to improve in the future.”

In doubles, Marevic and junior Kayla Barksdale paired together and made it through the first round against their opponents in the eight-game pro-set, 8-1.

Pridgeon’s and Setyon’s pair also moved ahead into the second round against their opponents, 8-2. Johnson’s and Lingner’s did not make it past the first round.

“Personally I didn’t think I did well; I’ve played better, but overall the team did well, we had good results,” Barksdale said.

“It’s going to be different being at home with friends and family there to watch,” Ligner said. “I’ve got all my jitters out, and I’ll be able to focus on what I have to do instead of being nervous.”

The Bobcats’ next match will be at home from Sept. 30 to Oct. 2 where they will compete in the Georgia College Women’s Fall Championships.

Posted by Emily Rivers on Sep 29 2011. Filed under Sports. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.