Tiger tennis players shine at ITA Regional Championship

The Cowley College men's and women's tennis teams showed why they will be such a force in the upcoming spring season as they tore through the fall ITA Regional Championships held Friday through Sunday in Arkansas City.

The Tiger men had all eight singles players, and all four doubles teams advance to the quarterfinals. Super sophomore Takeshi Taco defeated fellow Tiger teammate Reiya Komagata 7-5,6-4 to win the singles championship, while Cowley's doubles team of Bruno Nhavene and Boruch Skierkier defeated Taco and Reiya Komagata 4-6, 6-2, 10-5 to win the doubles championship.

"I am really proud of the team's effort," Cowley head coach Manuel Raga said. "The next step is the ITA National Championship in a couple of weeks, so we will continue to work hard to give us the best chance of bringing home some hardware." 

The Lady Tigers had a stellar tournament as well. They were led by sophomores Isid Hernandez and Mariia Koroleva, winning the doubles championship over Seward Community College's Carol Mora and Camille Belberka 6-3, 7-6 (4).

Cowley freshman Arina Babenko also played well as she advanced to the singles final before losing to Seward's Carol Mora 4-6, 6-3, 2-6.

"I am very excited to see how we can do at the ITA National Championship in Georgia, but even more excited to get to the spring season and see how we will match up against the top teams in the nation," Raga said. "The future is bright for this women's team."

The ITA National Championships will be held October 13-16 in Rome, GA.