Sumter, SC–The Lady Lions Tennis Team started their Fall Season at the Palmetto Tennis Championships. All Conference Carolina's schools were invited for the individual tournament this weekend.
In Doubles play, the sophomore Fantine Botella and Pearllan Cipriano had a solid run and they cruised in the first two rounds by defeating Salazar/Hull (King) by 8-3 and Chon-Qui/Sanoja Alvarez (Barton) by 8-1. The semifinals were played against another EC Lions Doubles Team formed by Katharina Kiderlen and Maria Raich, who were able to defeat Hernandez/Byrd (Mount Olive) by 8-4 and Smith/Subik (Belmont Abbey) by 8-3 earlier. Botella and Cipriano captured the win over Kiderlen/Raich in a long battle that was only clinched in a tight 8-7 (9-7). In the finals, the duo missed a few opportunities and ended up as the runner-ups with a victory for DiMichelle/Gonzalez (Mount Olive). Another doubles team who were able to win a pair of matches was Chloe O' Connor and Abi Muesse. The sophomore team defeated Flynn/Peeler (Converse) by a convincing 8-1 and Veitz/Hamilton (Barton) by 8-6.
The young Lions Team also showed a great level of skill in singles play. Starting with Pearllan Cipriano with a pair of wins. First over Marissa Stevenson (Barton) in a third set super tie-break, 6-2 6-7 (9-7) 10-4 and then, Christina Kiessling (North Greenville) 6-1 7-6 (7-4). The Senior from Basset, VA, Claudia Morris, also got a win over Rebecca Pierce (Lees McRae) by 6-1 6-1. Fantine Botella dropped the first match to Olivia Nelms (Pfeiffer) but was able to win all her matches later. Marianne Hull (King) 6-7 (7-5) 6-2 10-8, Jennifer Ball (Southern Wesleyan) 6-3 1-6 10-5, and then Camille Duhan (North Greenville) 7-6 (7-5) 7-5. Chloe O'Connor left two opponents behind herself. Morgan Trask (Converse) 6-2 6-3 and Kylie Sandusky (North Greenville) 6-2 7-6 (8-6). Lastly, the Freshman Rheagan Wessels defeated Madison Hatley (Pfeiffer) by 6-1 7-6 (7-4).
Coach Darbar added, "I am very excited to see how we are going to perform this season. The girls are playing great and they are very hungry to get the wins. We were very close last year and I believe the experience they had in the previous season will be crucial this year."
The Lady Lions will be back in action this Tuesday, the 20th, against a NCAA Regional Foe, Anderson University. Match time is set for 1 p. m.
For More EC Lions News, please visit: www.goeclions.com
In Doubles play, the sophomore Fantine Botella and Pearllan Cipriano had a solid run and they cruised in the first two rounds by defeating Salazar/Hull (King) by 8-3 and Chon-Qui/Sanoja Alvarez (Barton) by 8-1. The semifinals were played against another EC Lions Doubles Team formed by Katharina Kiderlen and Maria Raich, who were able to defeat Hernandez/Byrd (Mount Olive) by 8-4 and Smith/Subik (Belmont Abbey) by 8-3 earlier. Botella and Cipriano captured the win over Kiderlen/Raich in a long battle that was only clinched in a tight 8-7 (9-7). In the finals, the duo missed a few opportunities and ended up as the runner-ups with a victory for DiMichelle/Gonzalez (Mount Olive). Another doubles team who were able to win a pair of matches was Chloe O' Connor and Abi Muesse. The sophomore team defeated Flynn/Peeler (Converse) by a convincing 8-1 and Veitz/Hamilton (Barton) by 8-6.
The young Lions Team also showed a great level of skill in singles play. Starting with Pearllan Cipriano with a pair of wins. First over Marissa Stevenson (Barton) in a third set super tie-break, 6-2 6-7 (9-7) 10-4 and then, Christina Kiessling (North Greenville) 6-1 7-6 (7-4). The Senior from Basset, VA, Claudia Morris, also got a win over Rebecca Pierce (Lees McRae) by 6-1 6-1. Fantine Botella dropped the first match to Olivia Nelms (Pfeiffer) but was able to win all her matches later. Marianne Hull (King) 6-7 (7-5) 6-2 10-8, Jennifer Ball (Southern Wesleyan) 6-3 1-6 10-5, and then Camille Duhan (North Greenville) 7-6 (7-5) 7-5. Chloe O'Connor left two opponents behind herself. Morgan Trask (Converse) 6-2 6-3 and Kylie Sandusky (North Greenville) 6-2 7-6 (8-6). Lastly, the Freshman Rheagan Wessels defeated Madison Hatley (Pfeiffer) by 6-1 7-6 (7-4).
Coach Darbar added, "I am very excited to see how we are going to perform this season. The girls are playing great and they are very hungry to get the wins. We were very close last year and I believe the experience they had in the previous season will be crucial this year."
The Lady Lions will be back in action this Tuesday, the 20th, against a NCAA Regional Foe, Anderson University. Match time is set for 1 p. m.
For More EC Lions News, please visit: www.goeclions.com