A&M Women’s Tennis Team Clinches Third Straight SEC Regular-Season Title
Triumphant Win against Alabama
The spirited women’s tennis team of Texas A&M University celebrated their third consecutive SEC regular-season victory after a stirring match against Alabama this past Sunday. The 11th ranked team made quick work of their opponents, winning with a clean sweep of 4-0 at the Mitchell Tennis Center, marking a significant accomplishment in Southeastern Conference action.
Having shared this victorious title with Georgia, the players of A&M (20-6, 12-1) proved their mettle after having their SEC 30-match regular-season winning streak interrupted by Georgia earlier on March 15. Despite this setback, the Aggies recouped their efforts concluding the regular season with an impressive eight-match winning streak, matching and tying with Georgia, who suffered an unexpected loss against Auburn on March 31.
Strong Resilience and Improved Performance
The head coach of A&M, Mark Weaver, expressed his confidence by stating, “We are a truly resilient group and have done nothing but get better every day. Besides, we are truly playing the best tennis we’ve played all season and are headed in the right direction.” Furthermore, he praised the team chemistry that has developed over the last six weeks, attributing it as a crucial factor behind their success.
Battling against Alabama, sophomore Lucciana Perez, junior Jeanette Mireles, and sophomore Nicole Khirin shone brightly by attaining victories in both doubles and singles. All triumphs in singles came through straight sets, with Mireles clinching an extraordinary 6-0, 6-0 victory, her 10th league victory in singles. Khirin, ranked 19th, defeated 102nd-ranked Petra Sedlackova 6-4, 6-2, ending the SEC play with a score of 10-2.
Unstoppable Streak
Moreover, Perez emerged as the clincher of the match with a sweeping 6-3, 6-2 victory over Ola Pitak. This triumphant win marked the 53rd consecutive home match victory for the Aggies. An overwhelmed Perez stated, “If we felt sorry for ourselves early in the season, we wouldn’t be standing here with our third-straight trophy.”
Looking Forward
As the SEC Tournament awaits the teams from Tuesday through Sunday, hosted by Georgia, Weaver expressed his optimism and eagerness. The top-seeded Georgia will go against eighth-seeded LSU or ninth-seeded, which play Thursday. As for Texas A&M, the second-seeded Aggies will challenge seventh-seeded Vanderbilt (11-9, 6-7) or 10th-seeded Ole Miss (12-10, 5-8), which will compete on Thursday. With the Aggies keen on taking yet another title home, it will be a sight to behold as these exceptional athletes vie for the championship.
This ongoing series of victories demonstrates A&M’s robust and unwavering spirit in the realm of tennis. Excelling in every endeavor has always been the motto of Texas A&M, and with this state-of-the-art performance, they have once again proved their flare in the field of sports. As they prepare for the challenges that lay ahead in the SEC Tournament, their resolute determination and commendable team spirit make them a formidable competitor to watch out for.
