Women's Tennis | 9/23/2022 7:25:00 PM
Box Score ATLANTA, Ga. Methodist's women's tennis team participated in the 2022 Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) Women's Fall South Regional, hosted by Emory University, on September 23. Even though the day did not go the way the Monarchs hoped, the four individuals that attended gained some great experience against tough competition.
The trio of
Toni Laney,
Valeria Matute, and
Cailin Cifra were all victorious in their opening round match. In the round of 32 of the main bracket, Laney squared off against Emma Smith from Sewanee: University of the South, after beating her first opponent 6-4, 6-1. Smith would get the better of Laney by winning in two sets (6-4, 6-1). Laney was not the only Methodist tennis player to play someone from Sewanee.
Teammate Matute, who took her first round match 7-6 (7-5), 6-3, faced off with Brooke Despriet. This one sided match saw Despriet sweep Matute 6-0 in both sets between the two. Winning the first round by scores of 6-2, 6-4 was Cifra, who moved on to play Eliza McPherron of the host Eagles. Cifra did her best in the match but ultimately fell to McPherron 6-0, 6-2.
For these three Monarchs they had a tall order to face in their respective matches. The two young ladies from Sewanee, Despriet and Smith, concluded the 2021-22 season ranked in the south region, at No. 11 and 17 respectively. McPherron from Emory was not only the third ranked women's tennis player in the south region but also nationally ranked 19 according to the ITA.
All three Methodist players, along with
Megan Kidd, also participated in doubles action. The pair of Kidd and Matute won a close first match, 8-5, to advance to the round of 16 but then lost 8-1 to end their day. Teaming up for the first time this season was Cifra & Laney and the two claimed their first win together in their opening doubles match 8-4. That was the lone win for the two as they fell in the next round 8-3.
This wraps up the Monarchs fall portion of their 2022-23 schedule.
