The Abilene Christian men’s and women’s teams along with Cameron’s women’s squad have advanced to the 2011 NCAA Division II Tennis Championships in Altamonte Springs, Fla., May 11-14.
Men’s Tennis: #7 Abilene Christian 5, #19 Cameron 2
For the fifth consecutive year the ACU men will appear in the NCAA Division II national championship tennis tournament after knocking off Cameron for the third time this season, 5-2 in Monday's NCAA Division II South Central Region Championship in the Teague Special Events Center.
It was not an easy win, but the Wildcats were able to knock off Cameron for the third time in as many tries on Monday. Rain and cold weather that moved into the area on Sunday and lingered through Monday morning forced play inside.
ACU was pushed in nearly every match as it took a 2-1 lead into singles play picking up wins at Nos. 1 and 3 doubles. The Wildcats took No. 1 singles with freshman Hans Hach winning, 6-4, 6-4, but at No. 2 singles the Aggies would pull back within one point.
The best match of the day, however, was at No. 3 singles, which drew a crowd on the near court. The fans saw ACU's Alfredo Desiati knock off Manuel Barroetavena, 6-2, 5-7, 6-1. Desiati excited the crowd with a between-the-legs shot right before winning the final point to put the Wildcats within one point of taking the championship.
ACU was able to close out the match and advance thanks to a win at No. 4 singles from Jake Hendrie over Nicolas Clerc, 6-3, 6-4.
The Wildcats will advance to the national tournament in Altamonte Springs, Fla., for the fifth consecutive year. ACU still awaits its first-round opponent, which will be the No. 1 seed from the Atlantic Region, either Bluefield State College or Shaw University. Play begins May 11 with the championship match set for May 14.
#7 Abilene Christian 5, #19 Cameron 2
Singles competition:
1. Hans Hoch (ACUM) def. Santiago Romero (CU) 6-4, 6-4
2. Thomas Peixoto (CU) def. Eldad Campbell (ACUM) 7-6, 7-6
3. Alfredo Desiati (ACUM) def. Manuel Barroetavena (CU) 6-2, 5-7, 6-1
4. Jake Hendire (ACUM) def. Nicolas Clerc (CU) 6-3, 6-4
5. Bryan Joiner (ACUM) vs. Duje Janjic (CU) unfinished
6. John Strahl (ACUM) vs. Patrick Eichler (CU) unfinished
Doubles competition:
1. Jake Hendire/Hans Hoch (ACUM) def. Santiago Romero/Nicolas Clerc (CU) 8-3
2. Thomas Peixoto/Patrick Eichler (CU) def. Bryan Joiner/Eldad Campbell (ACUM) 8-4
3. Alfredo Desiati/Nick Plum (ACUM) def. Duje Janjic/Jeff Sasser (CU) 9-7
-Courtesy of ACU Sports Information
Women’s Tennis: #6 Abilene Christian 5, #23 Tarleton State 1
The ACU women's tennis team is returning to the NCAA Division II National Tournament after taking out conference foe Tarleton State, 5-1 in the NCAA South Central Region on Monday at the Cecil Eager Tennis Center.
ACU improved to 22-7 on the year as they had little trouble with the TexAnns on Monday. After rain on Sunday forced the first round indoors, the sun appeared and today's action was able to take place outdoors.
As all three doubles matches were decisive the Wildcats took a 2-1 lead heading into singles play. The No.6-ranked doubles pair of Julia Mongin/Jaclyn Walker won at No. 1 doubles, 8-3 while Micah Hermsdorf and Lauren White blanked their opponent, 8-0 at No. 3 doubles.
ACU made quick work of TSU in singles play as Mongin won her No.1 singles match, 6-2, 6-2 before Natalie Friend closed out No. 6 singles, 6-1, 6-0. With all other matches being played outside Hannah Kelley was able to pick up 14th singles win of the season winning, 6-2, 6-1.
The win advances the Wildcats to the National Tournament for the 16th straight time and the 23rd appearance overall in school history as play begins May 11 in Altamonte Springs, Florida. Play in the Round of 16 beings on Wednesday as ACU will face Mesa State who enters the tournament at 21-8.
#6 Abilene Christian 5, #23 Tarleton State 1
Singles competition:
1. Julia Mongin (ACU) def. Alicia Perez (TSU) 6-2, 6-2
2. Jaclyn Walker (ACU) vs. Adriana Jaskova (TSU) unfinished
3. Cassie Carver (ACU) vs. Mariana Freitas (TSU) unfinished
4. Micah Hermsdorf (ACU) vs. Melanie Barnes (TSU) unfinished
5. Hannah Kelley (ACU) def. Silvia Nieva (TSU) 6-1, 6-1
6. Natalie Friend (ACU) def. Kayla Deatherage (TSU) 6-1, 6-0
Doubles competition:
1. Jaclyn Walker/Julia Mongin (ACU) def. Mariana Freitas/Alicia Perez (TSU) 8-3
2. Melanie Barnes/Adriana Jaskova (TSU) def. Cassie Carver/Hannah Kelley (ACU) 8-3
3. Micah Hermsdorf/Lauren White (ACU) def. Kayla Deatherage/Silvia Nieva (TSU) 8-0
-Courtesy of ACU Sports Information
Women’s Tennis: #18 Cameron 5, #30 Midwestern State 3
The nationally ranked No. 18 Cameron women’s tennis team earned their place in the NCAA Division II National Tournament after taking out No. 30 Midwestern State 5-3 in the NCAA Regional Tournament on Tuesday.
Things started out slow for the Aggies, as Amanda Moberg and Julia Puckhaber were the only pair able to secure a doubles victory. The talented tandem overcame the No. 11 duo of Rozike van Rensburg and Alex Odell-Michels in a close 9-7 decision at the top position.
The CU teams at the No. 2 and No. 3 slots fell to the Mustangs 8-2 and 8-3 respectively.
Fortunately, the women were able to make a comeback in singles play.
Though Antonia Moberg was unable get past Lindsey Holcomb at the No. 5 spot and suffered a 6-1, 6-0 loss, which would be the last match CU would lose.
Elvira Sholles picked up the first singles win of the day for the Black and Gold by routing Leah Roberts 6-0, 6-3 at the No. 3 position.
No. 23 Amanda Moberg had yet another routine victory at the top slot, earning an easy 6-0, 6-2 decision over van Rensburg. The Swede’s remarkable showing tied the contest against the Mustangs 3-3.
Florencia Tornero went on to crush Ashley Huse 6-4, 6-1 at the No. 6 spot, and her impressive performance gave the Aggies a 4-3 lead.
The deciding matches were left to be determined by Puckhaber and Londono at No. 2 and No. 4, but it was Londono who reached victory first.
The CU junior grabbed the first set in a tight tiebreaker, and was up 5-2 with match points on her racquet in the second set, but it would take another tiebreaker before she could close it out. Londono clutched a 7-6(6), 7-6(5) win over Abbie Lewis, which secured the regional contest for the Aggies.
The regional champions improved their record to 18-7 by winning the regional match-up and now advance to the national tournament, which begins May 11 in Altamonte Springs, Fla.
#18 Cameron 5, #30 Midwestern State 3
Singles Competition:
Amanda Moberg def. Rozike Van Rensburg 6-0, 6-2
Julia Puckhaber v. Alex Odel-Michels 5-7 (MSU), 7-5 (CU), 1-4 (MSU) UNFINISHED
Elvira Sholles def. Leah Roberts 6-0, 6-3
Sara Londono def. Abbie Lewis 7-6(6), 7-6(5)
Lindsey Holcomb def. Antonia Moberg 6-1, 6-0
Florencia Tornero def. Ashley Huse 6-4, 6-1
Doubles Competition:
Amanda Moberg/Julia Puckhaber def. Rozike van Rensburg/Alex Odel-Michels 9-7
Leah Roberts/Abbie Lewis def. Sara Londono/Elvira Sholles 8-2
Lindsey Holcomb/Ashley Huse def. Florencia Tornero/Antonia Moberg 8-3
-Courtesy of CU Sports Information