ACU men, women roll as both qualify for national tournament
5/8/2009 10:15:00 PM | Men's Tennis
ABILENE ? On another broiling day at the Eager Tennis Center, the ACU men's and women's tennis teams were just as hot on the court as the fans were in the stands.
The ACU women blitzed Tarleton State, 5-0, to win the NCAA Division II South Central Region championship and advance to their 14th straight national tournament. The ACU men also won their match 5-0, knocking off Washburn (Kan.) to win the regional title and earn a third straight trip to the national tournament.
This year marks the 10th time the ACU men and women have qualified for the national tournament in the same year. This year's national tournament is May 13-16 at Sanlando Park in Altamonte Springs, Fla.
The ACU women (26-5 and ranked No. 6 in the nation) will play the winner of the Midwest-2 regional, which features Drury (Mo.), Northern Kentucky, Rockhurst (Mo.) and Grand Valley State (Mich.) in Wednesday's Round of 16.
The ACU men (26-7 and ranked No. 19 in the nation) will play in Wednesday's Round of 16 against the winner of the Southeast-2 Region championship match between Georgia College and State and Columbus State (Ga.).
On the women's side, the Wildcats blanked the TexAnns for the second time in the last three weeks, the last time in the Lone Star Conference championship match and this time for the regional championship. ACU was barely challenged in the match, winning 8-3 at both Nos. 1 and 2 doubles, but only 9-7 at No. 3 doubles.
However, ACU rolled at Nos. 1 and 5 singles as Irene Squillaci beat Natalia Yanes, 6-1, 6-0, at No. 1 singles and Carver beat Jade Charlot, 6-1, 6-1, at No. 5 to secure the championship.
On the men's side, the Wildcats took relatively easy victories at Nos. 1 and 3 doubles, but it took Bryan Joiner and Juan Nunez a little bit longer to take an 8-6 win over Ryan Ward and Drew Hanson at No. 2 doubles.
In singles, it was two of ACU's seniors ? Juan Nunez at No. 1 and Ryan Hudson at No. 3 ? that closed out the championship with each playing their final home match of their careers. Hudson closed out Ward, 6-4, 6-4, to give ACU a 4-0 lead, and then Nunez brought home the championship with a 6-2, 6-3 win over Branden Joost.
"This is such a blessing to be able to take both of these teams to the national tournament," ACU head coach Hutton Jones said. "Both teams have had great seasons, and I'm glad they are both able to continue their seasons in Florida."
NCAA DIVISION II SOUTH CENTRAL REGION TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIP
Eager Tennis Center * Abilene Christian University
Abilene, Texas
WOMEN
Friday, May 8
Championship
#1 Abilene Christian 5, #4 Tarleton State 0
Singles
1) Irene Squillaci, ACU, def. Natalia Yanes, TSU, 6-1, 6-0
5) Cassie Carver, ACU, def. Jade Charlot, TSU, 6-1, 6-1
Doubles
1) Irene Squillaci-Jaclyn Walker, ACU, def. Melanie Zilles-Natalia Yanes, TSU, 8-3
2) Sarah Drummond-Dina Pavlin, ACU, def. Chrissie Cooper-Jade Charlot, TSU, 8-3
3) Cassie Carver-Lauren White, ACU, def. Adriana Jaskova-Evgeniya Prokofeva, TSU, 9-7
MEN
Friday, May 8
Championship
#1 Abilene Christian 5, #4 Washburn 0
Singles
1) Juan Nunez, ACU, def. Branden Joost, WU, 6-2, 6-3
3) Ryan Hudson, ACU, def. Ryan Ward, WU, 6-4, 6-4
Doubles
1) Luke Hawk-Ryan Hudson, ACU, def. Branden Joost-Brad Johnston, WU, 8 -3
2) Bryan Joiner-Juan Nunez, ACU, def. Ryan Ward-Drew Hanson, WU, 8-6
3) Hutton Jones Jr-Joey Farias, ACU, def. Simon Blondin-Yann Kasay, WU, 8-2
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