WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – The UNC Greensboro (UNCG) women's tennis team concluded play on Saturday at the Carolina ITA Regional Tournament.
 
All nine of the Spartans were eliminated by the end of play on Saturday. "The talk before play today was, we are at the point in the event that everyone is tired, sore and fatigued," said Head Coach Paul Thomson. "Today is going to be about discipline, playing within ourselves, and who does that the best. It's not necessarily about the better player at this point but who commits to what needs to be done to win."
 
The morning started out with doubles pairs of Hanna Giddings/Olivia Gallagher and Raegan Mitchell/Arina Babkova in the semifinals of consolation main draw doubles play. Both teams had opportunities but were unable to convert those chances into wins. Giddings and Gallagher were back and forth in their match but ultimately fell to Appalachian State, 8-5.
 
Mitchell/Babkova jumped out to a commanding 5-2 lead. But a series of errors and a strong serving performance by one of the Campbell players cost the duo a victory as they fell 8-7(5). "We are playing hard," mentioned Thomson. "There is no denying that. The tough part is hearing them say that they want it so badly. But we continue the same patterns that end up in the wrong results. The entire coaching staff is hopeful that at some point it will click. When it does, this will be a very good tennis team."
 
The afternoon singles session brought some ups downs and some inspiring play by several of the Spartans. Although McCollough Perry, Ella Olexa and Alexandra Dodashev Enbert all fell in their matches, there were bright spots. "All three played solid tennis," said Thomson. "Dodashev told me she got away from her game and it cost her. That was a great realization for her, however. She is seeing where she needs to improve and playing much better tennis. She was out there against the two seed exchanging blows. I think she knows now she can play at that level if she sticks to her game plan." 
 
Olexa stepped out on the courts against the number four seed in the draw from Western Carolina. Even though she dropped her match she made improvements from Friday and against a much better player. "Ella is going to be a good little player," continued Thomson. "Self-admittedly her biggest struggle is closing out games and sets where she is up. That's tough for a lot of good players. We talked about ways to work around that, and she put them in play today."
 
Perry played perhaps one her best matches to date. "She's such a warrior and loves to compete." Perry battled as she always does but couldn't quite finish out the match. her play however was inspiring.
 
After her big win Friday over Clemson, the task got even tougher for Babkova facing up against the No. 4 seed in the main draw from ACC powerhouse Duke University. Babkova, after a heavy match day on Friday was unable to play her best tennis and fell 6-1, 6-1.
 
Juliana Craft and Luna Urso were the lone victors on the day for the Spartans. Both girls played hard, clean tennis, carrying over the things that they did well the previous day. Luna jumped out on her first opponent 6-1. After a tough second set Luna cruised in the third set tie breaker 10-4. Never doubting herself as she walked on the court before the breaker telling assistant coach Owen Findley, "I'm not losing this match!" Moving on to the semifinals of the B draw Urso fell 6-4, 6-4 to the No. 3 seed from Coastal Carolina. "This may have been some of the best tennis she's played. I hope she is proud of her efforts and will build from this match."
 
Finishing out play for the day Craft knocked off the number four seed in her side of the bracket. In control of the match from the first point Craft rolled to a 6-3, 6-3 finish to move on to the semifinals. Her final match of the day was against a foe from SEC powerhouse South Carolina. Craft continued exceptional play and discipline on the courts. "When a player comes off the court in a loss and says that's the best tennis she has ever played, you're getting somewhere," reacted Thomson. "I've challenged her on some things lately and she is responding. Juliana is committing to improving herself on and off the courts and it is showing. I'm excited to see her moving in the direction she is going."
 
With ITA Regionals complete the ladies will take a couple of days off before getting back to work on the courts and in the weight room. The Spartans have a long challenging four week stretch before their final fall event at Liberty University. 
 
Final tournament results can be found here, https://colleges.wearecollegetennis.com/Competitions/WakeForestUniversityW/Tournaments/overview/5CED0EF5-D604-4C0C-BBB2-E92728CE5831
 
SINGLES
Arina Babkova (UNCG) lost to Emma Jackson (Duke), 6-1, 6-1
Juliana Craft (UNCG) defeated Chloe Schwarz (WCU), 6-3, 6-3
Juliana Craft (UNCG) lost to Annie Jennings (South Carolina), 7-6 (4), 6-0
Alexandra Dodashev Enbert (UNCG) lost to Jesse Hollins (Coastal), 6-3, 6-0
McCollough Perry (UNCG) lost to Lauren Robbins (UNCW), 6-4,7-6 (1)
Luna Urso (UNCG) defeated Amelie Allard (Queens), 6-1, 4-6, 10-4
Luna Urso (UNCG) lost to Kata Foldeak (Coastal), 6-4, 6-4
Ella Olexa (UNCG) lost to Dasha Osadova (WCU), 6-3, 6-4

DOUBLES
Babkova/Mitchell (UNCG) lost to Kopecka/Ristola (Campbell), 8-7(5)
Gallagher/Giddings (UNCG) lost to Pate/Murphy (App State), 8-5