Our Lady of the Lake University News

OLLU News

Leslie Cooper was named Women's All-Tournament MVP.

Saints women succeed in Texas Lutheran tournament

Fri, Sep. 17, 2010 - [Women's Tennis] - by Patricia Constantin

SEGUIN, TEXAS (Sept. 17, 2010) -- Last week, the Our Lady of the Lake University Saints women's tennis team participated in the inaugural Kieth "Doc" Skogman Invitational sponsored by Texas Lutheran University. Against teams from Texas Lutheran University (TLU), Southwestern University (SU), St. Mary's University (STM) and Temple College (TC), the women tied for second in singles with four wins along with STM; TC was first with five wins, and SU had three wins, while TLU had two. The Saints ended in a three-way tie in doubles with two wins along with TLU and STM. SU and TC each had one win. In addition, freshman Leslie Cooper was named All-Tournament MVP for her outstanding performance throughout the tournament.

New OLLU Assistant Tennis Coach Dante Childs attributed the success of the tournament for the Saints to three vigorous weeks of intense workouts and preparation. "As a result, the women turned things around and performed admirably," he said.

Coach Childs explained the new three-part system he put in place for the team. First, he helped the women prepare mentally, and second, they underwent intense physical conditioning, including lifting weights, running, and agility and mobility training. Last, the Saints prepared psychologically and spiritually by undergoing meditation and other specialized exercises. "I am very proud of them. They really came together as a team."

Ranked as the fourth player on the OLLU squad, Cooper overcame STM's Qureshi 6-4, 7-5 to advance to a game against SU's Blake. She lost that match 2-6, 2-6, and won the next one against TU's Pergande 6-3, 6-4 to finish in third place overall.

Sophomore Audrey Alba, the no. 2 ranked Saint, beat STM's Soy by default. She lost to TC's Fausett 1-6, 0-6 and Renner 3-6, 4-6 to finish in seventh place in the winner's bracket.

Also finishing in seventh place was no. 1 ranked Thea Lonewolf in the consolation bracket. She lost to TC's Renner, 1-6, 1-6; to STM's Bryant, 5-7, 1-6; and to Soy, 3-6, 4-6.

OLLU's Jessica Perez finished in eighth place in the winner's bracket with a first round bye, 6-1, 3-6, 0-1 (7) loss to SU's Johnson, and a 2-6, 3-6 loss to TC's Kecman. In the consolation bracket, Michelle Reyes finished in eighth place with a loss to STM's Carmona, 2-6, 3-6; to SU's Satyavada 2-6, 3-6; and to TC's Harness, 4-6, 3-6.

In 10th place in the consolation bracket was Valeria Gonzalez with a 2-6, 1-6 loss to TLU's Flayer, a second round bye and a 2-6, 1-6 loss to TLU's Lopez.

In women's doubles, Lonewolf and Alba came in ninth place with a loss to Cooper and Qureshi from STM, a 4-8 loss to Black and Bigler from SU, and a 6-8 loss to TLU's Arizola and Lopez.

Reyes and Perez finished in fifth place with a 0-8 loss to TC's Fausett and Renner, an 8-4 win against TLU's Lopez and Fkayer and an 8-4 win against SU's DeLeon and Satyavada.

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