(Story courtesy of Texas Lutheran
University)
SUMTER, S.C. – Texas Lutheran women's singles player
Sofia Vega moved into the main draw of the ITA/USTA Small
College National Championships with a 6-2, 6-3 win Wednesday
morning over Courtney Lawless of Whitman College (Wash.).
Vega, the No. 2 seed, needed a win over Lawless to enter the
tournament's main draw, which starts Thursday. Vega and Lawless met
in the same play-in round last year, with Vega winning in three
sets in 2013.
At the Palmetto Tennis Center, Vega broke twice early in the first
set and then again later in the set. In the second set, she went
ahead 5-1, lost serve and then won the match on her fourth match
point.
"Today's match definitely put a lot of pressure over both of our
heads, Courtney and mine, considering that this match meant either
go home tonight or stay until Saturday," said Vega. "I'm really
thankful that I was able to get past that mental barrier, play my
game, and win."
"The plan is to rest and recover this evening and get ready for
the first round tomorrow now that the worst is over."
Vega is the ITA/USTA champion of the Southwest Regional. Lawless
is the champion of the Pacific Northwest Region. The champions of
these two regions traditionally meet in the play-in match at the
ITA/USTA Small College National Championships.
"We are very relieved to get through that match," said Michael
Hunt, TLU's head coach for women's and men's tennis. "Just so much
pressure on the players knowing that if you lose you go home. And
to have to beat a top 20 player like Courtney Lawless is just such
a tall task."
"Sofia stuck to her game plan for all but about two games, and
when she does that, you have to like her chances. Now we know there
are three more matches no matter what, so hopefully she can relax
and just play solid tennis and enjoy the moment. It's a special
opportunity, and we are grateful to be able to participate in this
event."
Vega plays in the first round at 8:30 a.m. eastern (7:30 a.m.
central) on Thursday against Megan Humphreys of University of
Wisconsin-Whitewater. Win or lose, Vega will play at 10:30 a.m.
eastern Friday and at 8:30 a.m. or 10:30 a.m. eastern Saturday.
Caroline Ward of Claremont-Mudd-Scripps is the tournament's top
seed. Andrea Madrigal of La Verne (Calif.) is the third seed, and
Beatrice Rosen of Emory (Ga.) is the fourth seed.
The women's singles draw, after the play-in game, has eight
women.
The winners of the DIII portions of the Small College National
Championships qualify for the tennis Super Bowl on Oct. 12. The
Super Bowl pits the DIII winner against the DII, NAIA and NJCAA
champions.
No TLU Bulldog has ever won a title at the ITA/USTA Small College
National Championships.