Tennis takes four titles at Finals
Women’s team excels in Windstream Women’s Fall Championship at home
On the weekend of Sept. 30, the women’s tennis team was at home to compete at the Windstream Women’s Fall Championships. The Bobcats took four of the five titles. The tournament hosted four teams including Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, Georgia College, University of North Carolina at Pembroke and the University of Tampa.
“We took away some good results,” Head Coach Steve Barsby said. “I think the doubles teams gelled a little more.”
Nick Widener- Junior Michelle Lingner ruled the court winning her Flight B singles final 7-5, 4-6 and 7-6 and her Flight A doubles match in the Windstream Women’s Fall Championships at home.
In Flight A singles, junior May Johnson defeated University of Tampa’s Meg Wladimirski in the semifinals, 6-2, 6-3. However, Johnson was defeated in the finals by University of Tampa’s Thashia Garcia, 6-3, 6-3.“I think I played quite well; I think I played much better than last week,” Johnson said. “The final was a bit disappointing but overall I was happy.”
Also in Flight A singles, sophomore Ivana Marevic lost her semifinals match to University of Tampa’s Thashia Garcia 7-5, 6-3.
Competing in Flight B singles, sophomore Lisa Setyon-Ortenzio defeated UNC Pembroke’s Leigh-Anne McAfee in two sets, 6-2, 6-2.
Junior Michelle Linger beat Chloe Pereira of the University of Tampa 7-5, 4-6, 7-6.
“I definitely built off of last week; I thought I played pretty solid,” Linger said.
Setyon-Ortenzio and Linger moved on to finals and will compete Monday in practice to determine the winner.
Freshman Leah Pridgeon took home the title in Flight C singles, winning against University of Tampa’s Maddie Caropino in the semifinals, 6-2, 6-3. After her semifinals victory, Pridgeon then powered through ABAC’s Nikki Hall in the finals with a 6-0, 6-2 win.
“Our team this year has got a lot more depth, playing well and working hard, so girls are coming together really well especially this early in the season so I’m really happy about it right now,” Barsby said.
In Flight A doubles, junior Kayla Barksdale and sophomore Ivana Marevic lost to University of Tampa’s Lauren Hewett and Leslie Raymond, 8-4 in the eight-game pro-set. Linger and Johnson defeated UNC Pembroke’s Hannah Herlocker and Mia Winterbottom, 8-6.
“It was like we had never gotten off the court, we were so familiar with each other,” Johnson said.
The pair went on to beat Leslie Raymond and Lauren Hewett in the finals with an 8-5 victory.
In Flight B doubles, Setyon-Ortenzio and Pridgeon had no struggle against University of Tampa’s Maddie Caropino and Becky Ewing and defeated the Tampa pair 8-1. The Bobcat pair then defeated University of Tampa’s Beckham and Fahrner, 8-3.
“I have really enjoyed playing with Leah Pridgeons, and I am more than happy that we did well on our home courts,” Setyon-Ortenzio said. “It is really motivating and it makes me want to do even better in the spring,”
“We’re all out here cheering for each other and playing really strong,” said Linger.
The tournament brought the end to the women’s fall season which will pick back up in early spring. “Spring is a long way away from now,” Barsby said. “Hopefully the girls will keep working hard and conditioning.”
Posted by Gabrielle.Carrier
on Oct 6 2011. Filed under Lead stories, Sports.
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