Lady Tigers drop semifinal matches, place fifth at national tournament

The Cowley College women's tennis team had its run at the NJCAA Division I National Championships in Tucson, AZ come to an end Tuesday as they suffered three semifinal defeats. Heading into the final day of competition, the Lady Tigers have wrapped up a fifth place national finish.

On Tuesday, Cowley's Mariia Koroleva and Saara Kunakunova battled hard before dropping No. 3 and No. 4 singles matches in three sets. Kunakunova, who dropped a three-set tiebreaker, then teamed with Valentina Jimenez to compete at No. 3 doubles. The duo were defeated by a team from Hillsborough Community College (FL).

"The ladies fought hard for every point, but unfortunately all the close matches we had did not go our way," Cowley head coach Manuel Raga said. "I am proud of the effort."

With only two sophomores on the roster, Isid Hernandez and Saara Kunakunova, the Cowley College women's tennis team should return another team capable of competing for a national title.

"We had a really young team this year and sometimes the experience plays a major difference in those close matches," Raga said. "I am happy with the top-five finish and believe we will be back stronger next year."

Cowley Results:

DOUBLES

*No. 1 – Isid Hernandez/Ntokozo Zungu (CC) defeated Mia Falconi/Haley Quick 6-1, 6-0; defeated Sofija Djunisijevic/Jelizaveta Govrova 6-0, 6-3; lost to Mbali Langa/Viktoryia Zhadzinskaya 7-6, 6-7, 3-6 in the quarterfinals.

*No. 2 – Mariia Koroleva/Camila Neyra (CC) received a bye in the first round; defeated Paula Curci.Azul Barrios 6-4, 6-2; lost to Lucia Popluharova/Carol Mora 2-6, 6-4, 2-6 in the quarterfinals.

*No. 3 – Saara Kunakunova/Valentina Jimenez (CC) received a bye in the first round; defeated Aubrey Hunter/Jumai Muhammed 6-1, 6-2; defeated Robyn Hancock/Maria Garcia Pulido 6-1, 7-6; lost to Habekovic/Andresen (Hillsborough) 1-6, 5-7 in the semifinals.

SINGLES       

*No. 1 – Hernandez (CC) received a bye in the first round; defeated Djunisijevic 6-1, 6-1; lost to Arina Gamretkaia 4-6, 0-6 in the quarterfinals.

*No. 2 – Zungu (CC) received a bye in the first round; defeated Govrova 6-2, 6-2; lost to Carol Mora 3-6, 4-6 in the quarterfinals.

*No. 3 – Koroleva (CC) received a bye in the first round; defeated Muhammed 6-1, 6-2; defeated Mia Milojevic 6-2, 5-7, 7-5; lost to Kelly Arends (Tyler) 3-6, 6-3, 1-6 in the semifinals.

*No. 4 – Kunakunova (CC) received a bye in the first round; defeated Natalia Barron 6-1, 6-1; defeated Azul Barrios 6-2, 6-2; lost to Abigail Wild (Tyler) 6-3, 4-6, 6-7(4) in the semifinals.

*No. 5 – Neyra (CC) received a bye in the first round; defeated Alyssa Steed 6-0, 6-0 lost to Yeva Kononovych 6-3, 6-3 in the quarterfinals.

*No. 6 – Jimenez (CC) received a bye in the first round; defeated Kamryn Rodriguez 6-4, 6-2; lost to Camilla Mitolo 2-6, 1-6 in the quarterfinals.