Story courtesy of Southwestern University Sports Information
TYLER, Texas - Southwestern women's tennis had a historic weekend as they won the singles and doubles titles for the first time in program history at the ITA Regional.
Kate Daugherty earned All-American status by defeating UT Dallas' Sumvruta Iyengar 2-6, 6-4, 7-5 in the final. Daugherty entered the regional ranked #3 and earned a spot in the championship match by defeating HSU's Lexie Graham 6-2, 6-0 and follwed with a 6-4, 6-4 win over Mary Kaffen of Trinity. The win put Daugherty up against Trinity's Paulina Garcia in which she won 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 to move on to the quarterfinal.
In the quarterfinal match Daugherty easily handled Austin College's Diana Carvajalino 6-0, 6-1 and she earned her spot in the finals by defeating Kathy Joseph of UT Dallas 3-6, 6-2, 7-6 (8).
Daugherty teamed up with Esther Bowers to walk through doubles action for the championship. The duo, ranked second entering the weekend, won in straight sets over Martinez/Aarnhus of Concordia before defeating familiar foe Duncan/Garcia of Trinity 8-1.
UTD's Joseph/Sepulveda proved no match as the pair won 8-3 to head into the championship match against Trinity's Kaffen/Kaffen. Daugherty/Bowers controlled the match and secured SU's first doubles title at the regional.
The regional marks the end of the fall season for the Pirates as a team. However, Daugherty and Bowers advance to the ITA Oracle Cup in Rome, Ga. October 12-15. Southwestern returns to team competition at the end of February to open the spring season.
