The Wildcat tennis teams dominated the ITA/USTA South Central Regional tournament in Abilene over the weekend. The teams were able to sweep with championship births and wins.
“I felt like we did great as a team,” junior Emily Conrad said. “Everyone competed well and had a positive attitude even when things were not going well.”
Seniors Hans Hach, Julia Mongin, and sophomores Borja Cortés, Brittney Reed were all able to finish the tournament as champions in their respected fields.
Hach continued his season of stellar play this year by winning the men’s singles championship. The four-time all-American faced matches against Oklahoma Christian, Arkansas-Ft. Smith, Midwestern State and Cameron.
“Hans in singles won the whole thing by playing pretty good and showed up as the best player in the region without discussion,” Cortés said.
Hach and Cortés were also able to reach the men’s doubles championship after long matches and fierce competition. They defeated NAIA champions from Oklahoma Christian, Bruno Tiberti and Martin Poboril, 6-4, 3-6, 10-6.
“I am learning so much from Hans in doubles,” Cortés said. “I think we are a great combination for doubles together, since I think one has to be the leader and he is doing his part perfectly, and both together animate to each other at every moment.”
Hach also provided the tournament with exceptional drama.
He staged a furious 4-6, 6-2, 6-2 comeback over Cameron’s Nicolai Ferrigno in the singles round, and then helped win a third-set tiebreak doubles victory with Cortés, to win the doubles championship.
On the women’s side, senior Julia Mongin took home the singles championship.
Mongin, also a four-time all-America, captured the title for the third straight year. With help from doubles partner Reed, the two were able to team up and capture the women’s doubles championship.
It was Mongin’s second doubles title as a Wildcat.Her first came in the fall in 2010 with former ‘Cat Jaclyn Walker.
“Julia Mongin is playing very well right now,” Conrad said. “I feel as though she could win a national championship at Nationals.”
The four champions of the tournament will travel to the ITA/USTA Small College Championships, which takes place the weekend of Oct. 10-13 in Mobile, Ala.
This will be the second trip for Hach and Mongin, who helped represent the Wildcats last year in Mobile.
Before they leave for the championships, the Wildcat tennis teams will play in tournaments this upcoming weekend.
Hach and the men’s team will travel north to Boise State, while Mongin and the women’s team will venture south to Rice.
