Kunakunova, Lady Tigers’ doubles team to play for national titles

Playing semifinal matches Tuesday at the NJCAA Division I Women's Tennis Championship in Mesa, AZ, the Cowley College women's tennis team advanced a singles player and doubles team to Wednesday's championship matches.

On Tuesday, Cowley got wins from No. 4 singles player Saara Kunakunova as well as the Lady Tigers' No. 3 doubles team consisting of Ane Ibarra and Andrea Rodriguez.

"Saara Kunakunova has been playing exceptionally well this season and now gets the chance to play for a national championship. I can't wait to see her compete," Cowley head coach Manuel Raga said. "Ane Ibarra and Andrea Rodriguez will also have the chance to compete for a doubles national championship. These two women have a lot of experience at this level and we have a lot of confidence in both of them."

With the wins, the Lady Tigers are in a tie for third place with St. Petersburg College with 34 team points. Tyler Junior College remains in first place with 44 points, while Hillsborough Community College is in second place with 41 points.

Lady Tiger freshman Isid Hernandez and sophomore Ane Ibarra nearly advanced to play for a national title at No. 1 and No. 6 singles before losing three-set heartbreakers.

"Isid saved her best tennis for the most important tournament of the season," Raga said. "She is only a first semester freshman and is already one of the top-four singles players in the nation. I am so proud of the way she competed. Ane also played hard from the very first point to the last point of the match. She gave it her all."

Cowley results:

SINGLES

*No. 1 – Isid Hernandez (Cowley) defeated Linda Eloundou (NMMI) 6-1 7-5; defeated Chloe Certain (Harford) 6-3, 6-1; defeated Justine Lespes (Seward) 3-6, 6-3, 6-2; lost to Natalie Kohoutkova (ABAC) 6-3, 4-6, 7-5 in the semifinals.

*No. 2 – Laura Quezada (Cowley) defeated Sage Schula (Mesa) 6-0 6-0; defeated Carla Montaruli (Meridian) 6-0, 6-1; defeated Aliya Henry (Eastern Arizona) 6-1, 6-2; lost to Lauren Anzalotta (Tyler) 6-1, 6-1 in the semifinals.

*No. 3 – Lea Rebreyend (Cowley) defeated Anna Woods (CACC) 6-1, 6-2; lost to Violet Apisha (Tyler) 6-1 6-0.

*No. 4 – Saara Kunakunova (Cowley) received a bye in the first-round; defeated Sarah Forsyth (SCF) 6-4, 6-3; defeated Mann-Ning Li(Collin) 6-1, 6-3; defeated Maria Garcia (Seward) 6-4, 7-6(2) in the semifinals.

*No. 5 – Andrea Rodriguez (Cowley) received a bye in the first-round; defeated Ralie Boles (Meridian) 6-0, 6-0; defeated Paula Acosta (Collin) 6-0, 6-0; lost to Isadora Oliveira (Hillsborough) 6-3, 6-2.

*No. 6 – Ane Ibarra (Cowley) received a bye in the first-round; defeated Hailey Vintoe (Barton) 6-0 6-2. defeated Claire Griffith (Kaskaskia) 6-0, 6-0; lost to Olivia Pezo (Hillsborough) 7-5, 4-6, 7-5 in the semifinals.

DOUBLES

*No. 1 – Quezada & Rebreyend (Cowley) defeated Beladova & Vidal (Iowa Central) 6-1, 6-4; Quezada & Rebreyend (Cowley) defeated Martin & Vandiver (CACC) 6-2, 6-2; lost to A. De Souza & N. Nishimura (Barton) 6-3, 6-1.

*No. 2 – Hernandez & Kunakunova defeated Black & Beukes (ABAC) 6-2, 6-1; Hernandez & Kunakunova (Cowley) defeated Warren &  Brister (CO-LIN) 6-2, 6-1; lost to A. Violet & E. Schwarte (Tyler) 6-2, 6-0.

*No. 3 – Ibarra & Rodriguez (Cowley) received a bye in the first-round; defeated Garcia & Martincova (Eastern Florida) 5-7, 6-2, 6-0 defeated C. Torrico & S. Vogelzang (Seward) 6-1, 6-1; defeated E. Mova & R. Hancock (St-Pete) 4-6, 6-2, 6-1 in the semifinals.