Johnson County Community College
Press Release
College Information and Publications
913-469-8500
Julie Haas, Associate Vice President, Marketing Communications, ext. 3120
Diane Carroll, Writer/Editor, ext. 3425
Tyler Cundith, Sports Information Director, ext. 3122
W. Tennis – JCCC qualifies for nationals
04/23/10
W. Tennis – JCCC qualifies for nationals
OVERLAND PARK, KS - The Johnson County Community College women's tennis team had one main goal at the start of the season - to get back to the national tournament. The Lady Cavaliers made that goal a reality last weekend at the Region VI Championship in Wichita, Kan., finishing runner-up in the competition to Cowley College. The second place finish secured JCCC a berth in this year's NJCAA National Tournament May 2-6, in Tucson, Ariz. This is JCCC's 21st appearance at nationals.JCCC players reached the finals in seven of the nine flights, and came away with one singles and one doubles title. Tracy Cooper, the No. 1 seed in the No. 2 singles bracket, posted a 6-4, 6-2 over Barton County's Calisia Reid to win the title and earn All-Region VI honors. Cooper will take an 11-2 record with her to nationals.
Other singles players to reach the finals were Marijana Gjorgjevska at No. 4, Syndey Ramsey at No. 5 and Jaime Hertling at No. 6. After 6-1, 6-1 win in the semifinal, Gjorgjevska fell 6-4, 6-2 to Natalia Medina of Cowley in the final. Ramsey gave Cowley's Wrylie Finkle a battle, falling 6-7, 6-0, 2-6 and Hertling was tough as well, falling 6-4, 7-5 to Brittney Laner of Cowley. Haley Craig and Gina Wattenbarger posted third-place efforts in the brackets. Craig won 6-0, 6-4 over Barton County's Ghezelen Doballah at No. 1, and Wattenbarger handled Hanna Ukhal of Barton County, 6-1, 6-3 in the No. 3 bracket.
All three teams reached the finals in doubles play, and all three finished runner-up to Cowley teams. At the No. 1 spot, Cooper and Craig reached the final then defaulted to Cowley because of an injury to Craig. Gjorgjevska and Ramsey quickly disposed of Seward County in the semifinal, 6-0,6-0, but then fell in the final 1-6, 2-6. Hertling and Spencer nearly pulled off the upset. The pair lost the opening set 5-7, but rebounded with a 6-4 win to force a third and deciding set. Cowley managed to take control early, and won 6-2.
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