A dynasty is in the making. The AU Women's Tennis team defeated the Army Black Knights this Sunday in the Patriot League Championship title game.
The Eagles dominated the second meeting of the season between these two teams; four of the six matches. The championship is the second in three years for the Eagles, both coming against Army.
After a February loss this year against Army, the Eagles rebounded this time, led by junior Sasha Zerkalova and senior Katarina Kollarova. Zerkalova and Kollarova were named co-MVPs of the PL tournament.
The match started with AU picking up doubles points by capturing two of the three matches. Zerkalova finished it off by earning a huge victory for AU at No. 3 singles; she lost the first set, 3-6, but rebounded to win the last two sets, 6-3 each.
"Our team has eight freshmen, and two seniors leaving this year, so everyone was really eager to win this year," Kollarova said. "We lost last year in the finals so that provided extra motivation to win. I played in the decisive match and it didn't start out so well so I just had to work hard and get over my early struggles. The girls were all cheering for me to win so it helped me out and I was able to pull through."
Kollarova won her match with relative ease, finishing off Army's superstar freshman Ali del Moral, 6-3, 7-6. Both MVPs also won their doubles matches in commanding fashion.
The co- MVPs impressed head coach Carol Daniels with their leadership which was integral to this weekend's victories.
"They showed great leadership all weekend and stepped it up when some other players needed to see it from them," Daniels said.
The coach also pointed out how the team's continued focus was key in the victory and that it will be needed for success in the NCAAs.
"We need to stay on the same track, stay just as focused as we were at the conference championship and the week before, just keep playing hard and we will do well," Daniels said. The best part of the weekend was the whole team coming together. "They were focused all weekend long and they were determined to win it, just a great effort."
Kristina Georgieva's match at No. 1 singles was suspended after the championship had already been determined. Geogieva also had her match discontinued on Saturday for the same reason.
The Eagles reached the finals by defeating the Lehigh Mountain Hawks on Saturday, 4-0. Zerkalova and Kollarova both won in two sets each again as their dominance continued into Sunday.
Freshman Julia Colarusso left her mark on the match by polishing off Lindsey Long in straight sets, 6-0, 6-3.
"During the regular season we lost to them. It came as a shock, a little, and on that day Lehigh just played better but when it came as a championship we were determined to win" Kollarova said.
Between the win in doubles and the three singles victories the Eagles advanced without finishing the other two matches. Zerkalova pointed out the fact that the Eagles knew they had to take care of business this time.
"It wasn't a question of losing in the first round," Kollarova said. "Lehigh became more of a passing stage to our ultimate goal, the finals. They played well though, and didn't just let us walk over them."
Kollarova added: "I personally have never been to NCAA championship before and I am excited to see the atmosphere. We will have a week off to focus on school and finish up on the semester, and then we will go back to regular practice, conditioning, and playing. I think we will be ready to go out there and do our best to win."
The Lady Eagles will have almost a month off before the NCAA tournament, which begins on May 14th in Athens, Ga.
