The 2018 Georgia Gwinnett College women's tennis team is once again the royalty of NAIA women's tennis after winning its third consecutive national championship with an avenging 5-2 victory against No. 1-seeded Keiser University (Fla.) Saturday afternoon at the Mobile Tennis Center.
This is the Grizzlies fourth national title in the five years of postseason eligibility and have a 19-1 all-time record in national tournament play. They were the national runner-up team during the other season.
"We have built a dynasty with our women's tennis program," said Head Coach Chase Hodges shortly after watching his team unveil the 2018 NAIA national championship banner. "This never gets old. The girls really worked hard for this title."
"For a new group to come together and win the national title is very rewarding and says something about the pride the players take in our program. The girls played for each other. This championship took a total team effort," added Hodges, who added another NAIA Coach of the Year honor to his impressive coaching resume. "Our preparation for this national championship match started in the semifinals with a hard-fought win against a very strong Xavier team. We were battle-tested."
They were also determined.
One of GGC's two regular-season losses came to Keiser, 5-4 on the Grizzlies' home court in Lawrenceville on March 24. (NCAA Division II Lynn University provided the other setback.)
In the championship game rematch, Georgia Gwinnett College jumped out a 2-1 lead after doubles with convincing victories on the No. 2 and 3 courts. The Grizzlies (18-2) weren't satisfied as they led the Seahawks by the same score in the regular-season showdown only to see Keiser rally to win four singles matches.
That didn't happen this time. GGC won the first set on five of the six courts. A retirement on the No. 1 court allowed Keiser (23-3) to square the match at 2-2.
"We felt really good as singles started. There was a momentum shift in the match that caused us to have to win three of the five singles courts," stated Hodges.
Sophomore Margarida Abreu regained the lead for the Grizzlies with a straight-set victory at No. 6 singles – the deciding singles match in the regular-season encounter. That was followed up by a win in straight sets by freshman Madeline Bosnjak on the No. 2 court, putting GGC up 4-2.
Needing one remaining point for the title, attention focused the match involving sophomore Maria Prados Cid at No. 4 singles. After winning the first set 6-3, she came back even stronger in the second set, claiming the decisive 6-2 victory.
"I played really consistent today and throughout the tournament. I was so focused on every point. Being a national champion means you're the best team in the country," said Prados Cid.
Abreu teamed with junior Henar Munoz to pick up a victory at No. 2 doubles – one of the Grizzlies' two doubles victories.
"Henar and I leaned upon our experience in playing on a national-championship level. We had a lot of experience in these moments," said Abreu. "We got up early and played amazing in doubles. I was motivated and ready to get the victory at No. 6 singles when I took the court. We knew that every match would be important to give us a team victory."
Bosnjak was named the Most Outstanding Player of the NAIA National Championships.
Hodges noted the contributions of Bosnjak and other players throughout the singles lineup as a key to victory.
"It was important for us to get points from Madeline, a freshman, and Margarida, who did not play in the earlier match (with Keiser) and wasn't in the lineup in the semifinal (against Xavier)," said Hodges.
