This Week in WAC Women's Tennis - April 15
This Week in WAC Women's Tennis - April 15
KALAGA AND CHALLA NAMED PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
NM State's Gavi Kalaga and NM State doubles team Kalaga and Harsha Challa have been named the TicketSmarter Western Athletic Conference Tennis Athletes of the Week for April 7 through April 12.
Kalaga, a junior from Bhubaneswar, India, collected her team-best ninth singles win as she earned a hard-fought victory over Northern Arizona's Ava Neyestani (7-6 (3-1), 6-1). Kalaga was also on the verge of defeating UTEP's Katheen Percegona before the match was clinched by the Miners.
Kalaga and Challa, a junior from Hyderabad, India, extended their winning streak in doubles play to three matches as they defeated Northern Arizona's top pairing. The duo prevailed over the Lumberjacks' Ellie Millard and Mimi Bland on Friday by a score of 6-4.
Other women's singles nominees: Dixie State's Kyra Harames took down Weber State's Yuuna Ukita at the No. 1 spot to earn the Trailblazers' only point against the Wildcats.
Other women's doubles nominees: Dixie State's Juliana Honczaruk and Rachel Mellor pushed Weber State's doubles team of Sicely Ferreira and Megan Davies but ultimately fell 4-6.
UP NEXT
As the final week of WAC pod play approaches, the week kicks of with Tarleton visiting UTEP on Thursday. Friday features the opener of the WAC pod hosted by NM State. Chicago State takes on the host Aggies, Dixie State battles with Tarleton and Seattle is up against UT Rio Grande Valley. Saturday's play opens with a matchup between Seattle U and Tarleton while Chicago State sees Grand Canyon and Dixie State competes with UT Rio Grande Valley. The week closes with Grand Canyon challenging NM State on Sunday.
BY THE NUMBERS
Entering the wek, Grand Canyon holds the best team winning percentage with a record of 8-7. As a team, the Lopes also hoist the top wining percentage in singles (.578) and doubles (.571) play. Individually, Tarleton's Martha Makantasi has put together a singles record of 13-2 to lead the league in singles play. UT Rio Grande Valley has the top doubles team as Lea Karren and Valeria Montero hold a doubles record of 6-1.
In WAC play, Grand Canyon is the only remaining undefeated team as the Lopes carry 4-0 records. Individually, ten different players are unbeaten in conference singles matches. Tarleton's Celia Vaudiau leads the pack as she is the only player that sits at 5-0 in singles play. Meanwhile, Grand Canyon's Emilia Occhipinti and Autum Prudhomme and Taylor Andersen and Joely Lomas pace the conference in doubles play, each posting a 4-0 record.
IT'S BIGGER IN TEXAS (AND UTAH)
On Jan. 14, the WAC announced the addition of five new schools in the upcoming years. Abilene Christian, Lamar, Sam Houston, Stephen F. Austin and Southern Utah were all offered and accepted membership invitations. With the addition, the WAC will have six schools in Texas, more than any other conference in the country, and three schools in Utah, also a national best. The four Texas schools will join the league on July 1, 2021 and Southern Utah will follow 365 days later, officially joining the WAC on July 1, 2022.
WAC CHAMPIONSHIP HEADED TO NEW MEXICO
The 2021 WAC Tennis Championships will be headed to the campus of NM State with both the men and women competitng for a title in Las Cruces, N.M. Play is set to begin on April 30 with the final day of matches scheduled for May 2.