Shockers reach finals at Longhorn Invitational
Woman’s tennis continued its extremely successful fall season with a strong showing in Austin, Tex. this weekend.
In doubles play on Friday (day one), all three Shocker duos had first round wins. But only the team of Veronika Blaskova and Lucia Kovalova would win their second round match. They took down four-seeded Lauren Burich and Sydney Rider of Wisconsin in the quarterfinals, 8-6.
“It was a close, tough match,” said Montse Blasco-Fernandez.
In singles play on day one Julia Schiller, Abby Stevens, Satjaporn Mahajaroenkul, and Kovalova all won their first round matches. Rebecca Pedrazzi and Blasco-Fernandez both fell in their matches, 6-2, 6-3 and 6-2, 4-6, 6-2 respectively.
Continuing on day two, Schiller, competing in flight one competition, defeated three-seed Klaudia Gawlik of McNeese State in straight sets, 6-2, 6-2, then beat Lauren Chypyha of Wisconsin by the same score to earn a spot in the finals against one-seed Natalie Beazant.
Mahajaroenkul, playing in flight two competition, also reach the finals by defeating one-seed Solo Zinko of Rice and then Kovalova by default.
After falling early in the weekend, Pedrazzi climbed to the consolation bracket finals with wins against Jacobea Junger and Malena Gordo.
Doubles competition ended for the Shockers on day two with Blaskova and Kovalova falling 8-2 against a duo from Texas. They would win their third place match 8-1 over McNeese State.
“This tournament was better than I expected,” Kovalova said, “I won almost all of my matches.”
On day three Pedrazzi defeated Elizabeth Begley of Texas 6-2, 6-4 to capture the flight one singles consolation final.
Schiller fell in the finals match to 21st ranked Beazant of Rice 6-1, 6-0.
Mahajaroenkul was able to defeat her opponent in the flight two finals by a score of 0-6, 6-3, 6-4.
“The hard work paid off,” said Mahajaroenkul, “I’m thankful to my teammates who practice hard with me all semester.”
Including all consolation matches, the Shockers were a combined 26-9. with that wrap up the fall season.