May 2, 2010
Final Stats
GRAND FORKS, N.D. - The No. 4 seed University of Texas-Pan American (UTPA) women's tennis team captured the inaugural Great West Conference (GWC) Women's Tennis Championship 4-2 over No. 3 University of North Dakota (UND) Fighting Sioux Sunday, May 2 at the Center Court Fitness Club, where UND hosted the event.
"I could not be more happy for the girls - especially our seniors. I am happy to see them go out on such a high note. I preached to our girls as well as anyone and everyone who would listen - in spite of the losses we were taking against some really tough teams out of Texas region, we were getting better every match. And this was our ultimate goal," head coach Chris Taylor said.
"We came into this tournament with a bit of a chip on our shoulder from being seeded No. 4. We played some extremely tough schools - the likes of SMU, Houston, UTEP, and TAMUCC - and felt we deserved a bit more respect for going out and playing a tough schedule. But the girls played so tough this weekend and earned a lot of people's respect. We knew we were the better team, but there was a lot of adversity come at us - particularly having to play the finals indoors. The girls kept their head and did the university proud," Taylor said.
Taking control of the match, the Lady Broncs captured the doubles point, winning lines one and three, while holding the lead at an unfinished line two.
UTPA led UND in singles competition 3-2. The Fighting Sioux grabbed the first singles point to tie the match 1-1 at line two when Luisa Cantu fell 6-4, 6-0 to Erin Kappers.
Senior Megan Bedeau answered with a 7-5, 6-2 victory over Hallie Welk at line three to regain the Lady Bronc lead.
At No. 5 Sarah Burton swept UND's Megan Sween 6-1, 6-1, tallying another Lady Bronc point, but Reetta Raty dropped a 6-2, 6-4 decision at line four to Emma Larson.
Andrea Salvetova swept No. 6 6-0, 6-0 over Mindy Lawrence to clinch the 4-2 Lady Bronc championship win.
Meanwhile, Nina Ciric was one point away from claiming line one 6-1, 3-6, 0-5 against Katie Callison.
"It really was a team effort today. Those who struggled in doubles, picked us up in singles. But those who struggled in singles, played some great doubles," Taylor said.
Following the championship match, Ciric was also crowned GWC Player of the Year and GWC Newcomer of the Year.
Bedeau and Burton were named to the GWC All-Tournament Second Team, while Ciric and Cantu were named GWC All-Tournament First Team members.
"It's really hard to pick out one player - because everyone had a contribution. But I certainly want to acknowledge Sarah. As a senior, she was so big this weekend, in doubles and singles. Sarah's parents came down from Canada to support us, and I know they are thrilled to see her make such a big contribution to this weekend's success. And Nina has worked all hard all season deserved everyone of those awards she got today. I've always told Nina she drives me absolutely crazy sometimes, but that I'd take 6 of her on my team any day of the week," Taylor said.
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UTPA Athletics Media Relations
UTPA 4, UND 2
Center Court Fitness Club; Grand Forks, N.D.
Singles Competition
1. Katie Callison (UND) vs. Nina Ciric (UTPA) 6-1, 3-6, 0-5 (unfinished)
2. Erin Kappers (UND) def. Luisa Cantu (UTPA) 6-4, 6-0
3. Megan Bedeau (UTPA) def. Hallie Welk (UND) 7-5, 6-2
4. Emma Larson (UND) def. Reetta Raty (UTPA) 6-2, 6-4
5. Sarah Burton (UTPA) def. Megan Sween (UND) 6-1, 6-1
6. Andrea Salvetova (UTPA) def. Mindy Lawrence (UND) 6-0, 6-0
Doubles Competition
1. Luisa Cantu/Megan Bedeau (UTPA) def. Erin Kappers/Hallie Welk (UND) 8-3
2. Nina Ciric/Reetta Raty (UTPA) vs. Katie Callison/Emma Larson (UND) 6-5 unfinished
3. Sarah Burton/Andrea Salvetova (UTPA) def. Megan Sween/Mindy Lawrence (UND) 8-2
