Braves Face Tough Competition At ITA Southeast Regional
SUMTER, S.C. – Double partners Hannah Herlocker and Mia Winterbottom were the only UNCP Braves to advance to the second round of the A Flight on Friday at the USTA/ITA Southeast Regional at Palmetto Tennis Center in Sumter, S.C.
Herlocker and Winterbottom progressed to the Round of 16 on Saturday, due to an injury plaguing their opponents of Queens University, but fell 8-0 to Marlen Hacke and Olga Kalodzitsa of Peach Belt Conference opponent Armstrong Atlantic.
In singles action, newcomer Monica Espita was defeated in 6-2, 7-6 by Paiva Renata of Columbus State while Madeline DiNunzio lost 6-0, 6-1 to Armstrong's Hacke. Cora Berna of Coker posted a 6-3, 6-4 victory over Winterbottom while Herlocker lost to Armstrong's Barbora Sevkova. Freshman Shelby Bickel fell 6-1, 6-0 while Leigh-Anne McAfee suffered a 6-3, 6-0 loss to Clair Larken of Anderson (S.C.). Allison Johnson faced a resilient opponent of Augusta State dropping 6-0 in both sets as Beverly Vause was defeated 6-0, 6-1.
Johnson and Vause paired up in doubles play but fell 8-1 to a tough North Georgia team. DiNunzio and Espita showed depth on the court but were overpowered by Armstrong, 8-5. Bickel and McAfee fell 8-1 to Georgia College.
UNCP will continue action next weekend at the Georgia College Women's Collegiate Tennis Championships in Middedgeville, Ga.