Wingate Tops Mars Hill For 2011 Food Lion SAC Women’s Tennis Tournament Championship
ROCK HILL, S.C. - Wingate University capped off an undefeated South Atlantic Conference regular season as Ali Evers clinched the match on court No. 2 in the second set tiebreaker as the Bulldogs clinched the 2011 NCAA Regional tournament bid with their 5-0 victory over Mars Hill at the Rock Hill Tennis Center.
Kelli Ferguson was named the 2011 tournament Most Valuable Player by Wingate Head Coach Michael Cabana as the Bulldogs gave Wingate University their second tournament championship of the day.
Due to weather concerns and a long men's championship match, the women's championship match did not start until 6 p.m., but the delay did not affect the Bulldogs as the top seed in the 2011 Food Lion South Atlantic Conference tournament swept all three doubles matches, taking a 3-0 lead into singles play.
Morgan Winston and Olivia Poole put Wingate on the board first, topping Ona Jane and Mary Nelson, 8-2, on court No. 3. Kara Stasikelis and Ferguson improved the mark to 2-0 with their 8-4 victory over Erika Pinate and Anna Rickenbaker on court No. 1.
Ali Evers and Samantha Alschlager completed the sweep minutes later with their 8-3 victory on court No. 2, giving the Bulldogs the 3-0 lead.
Ferguson battled through injuries on court No. 5, before defeating Jacqueline Rouquet in straight sets, 6-3, 6-3. Ferguson was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player.
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Wingate University's Kelli Ferguson, left, earned victories in singles and doubles in Saturday's championship and was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player. Photo by Tim Hartis. |
The final drama of the evening occurred on court No. 2 as Tatiana Dualiby took Evers deep into the second set. However, Evers, the SAC Freshman of the Year, overcame her opponent in the tiebreaker to clinch the Bulldogs victory, 6-1, 7-6 (7-1).
"I'm just very excited for the girls," said Wingate coach Michael Cabana. "This is a special moment for us. It was huge going up in doubles. You are more confident when you get up in that situation. But Mars Hill battled us close in all the matches. They made us earn it."
With the win, Wingate receives the SAC's automatic bid into the 2011 NCAA Regional tournament.
Singles competition
1. Kara Stasikelis (WIN) vs. Erika Pinate (MHCW) 7-5, 1-4,
unfinished
2. Ali Evers (WIN) def. Tatiana Dualiby (MHCW) 6-1, 7-6 (7-1)
3. Morgan Winston (WIN) vs. Ona Jane (MHCW) 5-7, 4-5,
unfinished
4. Olivia Poole (WIN) vs. Anna Rickenbaker (MHCW) 3-6, 6-5,
unfinished
5. Kelli Ferguson (WIN) def. Jacqueline Rouquet (MHCW) 6-3, 6-3
6. Helen Goreski (WIN) vs. Mary Nelson (MHCW) 5-7, 3-2,
unfinished
Doubles competition
1. Kara Stasikelis/Kelli Ferguson (WIN) def. Erika Pinate/Anna
Rickenbaker (MHCW) 8-4
2. Ali Evers/Samantha Alschlager (WIN) def. Tatiana
Dualiby/Jacqueline Rouquet (MHCW) 8-3
3. Morgan Winston/Olivia Poole (WIN) def. Ona Jane/Mary Nelson
(MHCW) 8-2
Match Notes
#2 Mars Hill 11-6
#1 Wingate 21-1
Order of finish: Doubles (3,1,2); Singles (5,2)
Wingate receives SAC automatic bid to the 2011 NCAA Regional
tournament