Temple University Athletics
Women's Tennis Wins Atlantic 10 Championship
4.20.08 | Women's Tennis
MONROEVILLE, PA - The Temple women's tennis team defeated Xavier 4-0 to win its fourth ever Atlantic 10 Championship and first since 2003. With the win, the Owls fnow qualify for the NCAA Championships. Temple will have to wait and see where they will play their first round matchup to take place on May 9. The NCAA Finals will be held at the University of Tulsa from May 15 to 26.
The Owls dominated their competition throughout the Atlantic 10 tournament and should head to the national competition with a lot of confidence. Temple outscored their opponents 12-1 with the only point being scored by four-time defending champion Richmond.
"As a first year head coach, this is the biggest accomplishment that I could have set my eyes for and I am just really proud of the girls and they way they came together," said first year head coach Jill Breslin.
The Owls that played an integral part of the tournament triumph were Dina Senkina (4-0 in the tournament), Elyse Steiner (5-0), Lucie Pazderova (4-0), Theresa Stangl (2-0), Felicia Frazier (1-1), Christine Clermont (1-0) and Anastasiia Rukavyshnykova (4-0). Josephine Bergman has also been a huge part of the Owls success this season. No matter how well the Owls do at the NCAA tournament they will be gaining valuable experience for next year. The team will return all of its players next year with juniors Felicia Frazier and Dina Senkina being the oldest on the squad.
The three victories in the tournament bring the Owls' record to 16-4 on the season. Head coach Jill Breslin has obviously made a mark on the program and will hope to continue their success in May, "it's been a tough year with them having to adjust to me and learning new coaching methods but they really showed their heart and dedication and hopefully it will continue at the NCAAs."
2003 was the only time Temple's women's tennis team has participated in the NCAA championships. This year's team will be looking to further etch it's name in the record books as the 2003 lost in the first round. The opponent and site of the Owls' first match will be posted on the website once announced.
#2 Temple 4, #5 Xavier 0
RESULTS
Doubles
1. Clermont/Rukavyshnykova (T) def. Courtney/Feider (X) - 8-3
2. Steiner/Senkina (T) def. Pleiman/Treece (X) - 8-1
3. Durco/Seyalioglu (X) vs. Stangl/Pazderova (T) - 6-4 (DNF)
Singles
1. Senkina (T) vs. Courtney (X) - 6-4, 4-3 (DNF)
2. Steiner (T) def. Treece (X) - 6-3, 6-4
3. Pazderova (T) def. Kinnard (X) - 6-1, 6-3
4. Clermont (T) vs. Ducro (X) - 6-4, 2-1 (DNF)
5. Rukavyshnykova (T) def. Zinn (X) - 6-4, 6-0
6. Feider (X) vs. Frazier (T) - 6-2, 4-0 (DNF)
