Women's Tennis | 9/21/2014 8:32:00 PM

HOUSTON, Texas – The St. Edward's women's tennis team wrapped up play with the third and final day of play at the NCAA Division I-heavy Solinco Houston Open.

Rafaela Haegele was victorious in her singles match versus Manoela Chiacchio of Louisiana Tech, 4-6, 7-6, 10-6, as she came back from losing the first set. Haegele lost on Saturday in three sets, but won Sunday's superset tiebreaker to complete the turnaround.
 
Summer Biggs was a hard-luck loser in her singles match. She won her first set, 6-3, but dropped her second set and the tiebreaker, 6-3, 10-1, respectively to suffer the loss.
 
In doubles action, the teams of Brook Hughes/Sasha Khadzhyan and Haegele/Ivana Zecevic were both scheduled to play each other in the consolation championship. After rearranging the matchups so each team would play unfamiliar opponents, both teams came away with wins. Hughes and Khadzhyan teamed up to defeat Maxl/Sedano of Stephen F. Austin, 8-5. Haegele and Zecevic defeated Lamar's Lapayeva/Stefanovic, 8-2.
 
"I think this weekend was great experience and preparation leading up to ITA Regionals next week," head coach Kendall Brooks stated. "Everyone got better each day and we had some big wins against tough Division I opponents. The work we put into doubles definitely showed which should give us some confidence moving forward. I think we represented ourselves really well and I'm excited about what's ahead."
 
The Hilltoppers will be back in action this coming weekend when they travel to Wichita Falls, Texas for the 2014 ITA South Central Regional Championships. The three-day tournament will be hosted by Midwestern State and winners of both the singles and doubles draws will advance to the ITA Small College National Championships to be held Oct. 9-12, in Sumpter, S.C. at the Palmetto Tennis Center. The doubles team of Hughes and Khadzhyan will look to defend its regional title from last year. Draws will be available on the Hilltopper Athletic Website when ready.
 
Sunday's Results
Singles
Brooke Hughes (SEU) def. Katya Lapayeva (Lamar), default
Valeria Terentyeva (Stephen F. Austin) def. Ivana Zecevic (SEU), 6-2, 6-2
Vivien Borbely (McNeese State) def. Francesca Chaher (SEU), 6-2, 6-2
Solo Zinko (Rice) def. Sasha Khadzhyan (SEU), 6-2, 6-1
Rafaela Haegele (SEU) def. Manoela Chiacchio (Louisiana Tech), 4-6, 7-6, 10-6
Macarena Sedano (Stephen F. Austin) def. Vanessa Camara (SEU), 6-0, 6-3
Taylor Capannolo (Louisiana Tech) def. Summer Biggs (SEU), 3-6, 6-3, 10-1
Haley Ballinger (Louisiana Tech) def. Marissa Williams (SEU), 6-2, 6-4
 
Doubles
Hughes/Khadzhyan (SEU) def. Maxl/Sedano (Stephen F. Austin), 8-5
Haegele/Zecevic (SEU) def. Lapayeva/Stefanovic (Lamar), 8-2
Merker/Ballinger (Louisiana Tech) def. Biggs/Camara (SEU), 8-4
Britos/Capannelo (Louisiana Tech) def. Chaher/Williams (SEU), 8-3