Strong singles play has led the No. 2-seeded Georgia Gwinnett College women's tennis team to defend its NAIA national championship after defeating No. 3-seeded Xavier University (La.) Friday evening.
GGC will face top-seeded Keiser University (Fla.) Saturday, May 19, at 11 a.m. for the title – reaching the finals for the fifth consecutive season.
Taking a 2-1 lead after doubles matches, the Grizzlies (17-2) took the opening set on five of the six singles courts. Freshman Madeline Bosnjak won 12 of 14 games on the No. 2 court for the first singles point. She also teamed with sophomore Emerald Able for an 8-2 triumph at the top of the doubles lineup.
"We had a lot of respect for Xavier and know that getting a victory over them at this stage isn't easy," said Bosnjak. "I have improved my net game in doubles throughout this championship tournament. I had to work myself into the singles match. I played courageous, but also smart."
Sophomore Chiara Rebecchi was not in GGC singles lineup before the match. She took advantage of the opportunity by winning 12 of 15 games to score an impressive victory on the No. 6 singles court. Moments later, sophomore Maria Prados Cid gained the fifth point of the match – clinching the team victory – with a 6-1, 6-1 victory on the No. 4 court.
"Winning the first set allowed me to play more confident with my shots. I was really happy to be playing and contributing to the team," Rebecchi said.
Prados Cid played a big role in the Grizzlies taking a lead after doubles, combining with junior Gabrielle Robinson for an 8-6 victory at No. 3 doubles. Prados Cid held serve with the match tied at 6-6. Then, the GGC tandem won four of the five points to clinch the match's second point.
"We began the match very aggressive (up 5-0), but then Xavier made a run," Prados Cid said about the doubles match. "We got back to playing aggressive again. We took things point-by-point, game-by-game to pull out a big point for us. Winning that service game was huge."
She added: "It is an incredible feeling to get the point that advances your team into the championship match. I can't wait for tomorrow," said Prados Cid.
Saturday's championship match is a much-anticipated rematch of a dual match between GGC and Keiser in March in Lawrenceville, Ga. The Seahawks came out on top, 5-4, in a match that went right down to the wire.
"We know what we were capable of doing. We trust each other," said Bosnjak.
Up Next
Georgia Gwinnett College is scheduled to play top-seeded Keiser University (Fla.) in the NAIA Tennis National Championship match Saturday, May 19, at 11 a.m.
