TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIP CENTRAL
WOMEN’S BRACKET
For Immediate Release
Sunday, April 24, 2016
Media Contact: Randy Lieberman (504-556-0872 or lieberman@sunbeltsports.org)
Georgia State Wins the 2016 Women’s Tennis Championship
NEW ORLEANS – The Georgia State Panthers won the 2016 Sun Belt Women’s Tennis Championship with a 4-2 win against South Alabama on Sunday at the City Park/Pepsi Tennis Center in New Orleans, La.
The match was decided at the No. 4 singles position as freshman Daniela Ramirez delivered a 7-5, 3-6, 7-5 victory against South Alabama senior Cinta Maria Papke. Ramirez came through as four matches finished before the No. 4 and No. 5 singles matches remained on court. The contest was a battle between two ITA Top 75 teams as Georgia State entered the match at No. 46 and South Alabama, the defending Sun Belt champions, entered today at No. 53 in the rankings.
Georgia State (15-5) jumped to an early lead by taking the doubles point over South Alabama (21-6). The No. 1 doubles pair of junior Tarani Kamoe and senior Linn Timmermann came through first with a 6-3 win against the top pair of South Alabama senior Michaela Meszarosova and junior Laura Valkova. The Panthers clinched the doubles point behind a 6-3 win from freshmen Ramirez and Chiara Volejnicek at the No. 3 position against USA junior Monica Mitta and Alina Zolotareva.
The Panthers jumped out to a 3-1 lead with wins at the No. 3 and No. 2 positions. Senior Niri Rasolomalala topped Mitta 6-2, 6-3 in the third spot and freshman Kristin Rehse defeated Valkova 6-3, 6-1 in the second spot. South Alabama then secured a victory thanks to junior Laura Matuskova, 6-2, 6-3, in the No. 6 position.
The No. 1 singles match went to South Alabama as freshman Alexandria Stiteler claimed a 6-2, 2-6, 6-4 win against Timmermann. Stiteler broke serve while tied at 4-4 and held the next game with a forehand winner that clipped the net and bounced in to win the match.
Georgia State’s women’s tennis title is its second in three seasons since joining the Sun Belt Conference prior to the 2012-13 season. The Panthers defeated South Alabama by a 4-1 margin to win the 2014 title.
Georgia State awaits its seed in the NCAA Tournament. The NCAA Selection Show for the 2016 Women’s Tennis Championship will air on Tuesday, May 3, at 4 p.m. CT on NCAA.com.
South Alabama Jaguars vs Georgia State Panthers
Apr 24, 2016 at New Orleans, La.
(City Park/Pepsi Tennis Center)
#46 Georgia State Panthers 4, #53 South Alabama Jaguars 2
Singles competition
1. Alexandria Stiteler (USA) def. Linn Timmermann (GSU) 6-2, 2-6, 6-4
2. Kristin Rehse (GSU) def. Laura Valkova (USA) 6-3, 6-1
3. Niri Rasolomalala (GSU) def. Monica Mitta (USA) 6-2, 6-3
4. Daniela Ramirez (GSU) def. Cinta Maria Papke (USA) 7-5, 3-6, 7-5
5. Chiara Volejnicek (GSU) vs. Michaela Meszarosova (USA) 6-7 (5-7), 7-5, 3-2, unfinished
6. Laura Matuskova (USA) def. Tarani Kamoe (GSU) 6-2, 6-3
Doubles competition
1. Tarani Kamoe/Linn Timmermann (GSU) def. Michaela Meszarosova/Laura Valkova (USA) 6-3
2. Niri Rasolomalala/Kristin Rehse (GSU) vs. Cinta Maria Papke/Alexandria Stiteler (USA) 3-4, unfinished
3. Daniela Ramirez/Chiara Volejnicek (GSU) def. Monica Mitta/Alina Zolotareva (USA) 6-3
Match Notes:
South Alabama Jaguars 21-6; National ranking #53
Georgia State Panthers 15-5; National ranking #46
Order of finish: Doubles (1,3); Singles (6,3,2,1,4)
2016 Sun Belt Women's Tennis Championship
#1 Georgia State vs. #2 South Alabama
Championship Match
Official: Dale Williamson T-3:15 A-276