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Women's Tennis

South Claims Thomasville Invitational in Opening Fall Tournament

THOMASVILLE, Ga.- The South Alabama women's tennis team opened up their fall season on a high note as they took home the Thomasville Invitational Championship this weekend. 

Round One

In the opening round, South would take down West Florida in dominating fashion. Manal Ennaciri would begin the day on a high note as she took down her opponent 8-6. In her debut with the Jags, Cristina Tchanichev would fall in her singles match 8-6. The duo of Rio Maeda and Lara van der Merwe would claim victory in the doubles match on the day with an 8-6 victory. 

Round Two 

South continued their dominance in round two as they took down Valdosta 2-1 for the round. Lara van der Merwe would start the day off for the Jags with a convincing 8-5 singles win against her opponent. Rio Maeda would follow up with a singles victory of her own as she took down her opponent 8-6. In the lone doubles match of the day, Rio Maeda and Cristina Tchanichev would fall short 8-6. 

Round Three

South would face the Valdosta B team in the third round, in which they claimed the 3-0 victory. Lara van der Merwe and Rio Maede would win their singles match with van der Merwe winning 8-5 and Maeda grabbing the 8-6 victory. In the doubles match, Cristina Tchanechev and Lara van der Merwe easily took down their opposition 8-4. 

Round Four

South's dominance reigned true as they swept Mississippi College 3-0. Van der Merwe and Maeda would claim their singles victories as the doubles duo of Tchanichev and  Ennaciri would follow with a victory of their own. 

Round Five
South would close out the tournament in dominating fashion as they took down West Alabama in a 3-0 sweep. Ennaciri and Tchanichev continued their dominance with convincing wins in their singles matches with Maeda and van der Merwe closing out the tournament with a crushing doubles victory. 

QUOTES

Jaco Keyser on the weekend, "Good results with regards to wins and losses mostly due to girls competing at a pretty high level. That is always extremely encouraging from a team identity standpoint. At the same time this weekend clearly pointed out that we have a long road ahead of us in order to achieve the quality and substance of play that will be needed in order to make us a competitive squad this year"

UP NEXT
 
The Jags will prepare for their next pre-season tournament in which they compete in the Samford Women's Intercollegiate Invitational on September 20. 

FOLLOW THE JAGS

For complete coverage of South Alabama women's tennis, follow the Jags on social media @SouthAlabamaWTN (Twitter), /SouthAlabamaAthletics (Facebook), @southalabamawten (Instagram) or visit the official home of South Alabama Athletics at usajaguars.com.
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Players Mentioned

Lara  van der Merwe

Lara van der Merwe

Redshirt Junior
Manal Ennaciri

Manal Ennaciri

5' 4"
Freshman
Cristina Tchanichev

Cristina Tchanichev

5' 6"
Junior

Players Mentioned

Lara  van der Merwe

Lara van der Merwe

Redshirt Junior
Manal Ennaciri

Manal Ennaciri

5' 4"
Freshman
Cristina Tchanichev

Cristina Tchanichev

5' 6"
Junior