Tennis Wraps Up Play at USTA/ITA Regionals

TAMPA — The University of Miami women’s tennis team wrapped up an impressive weekend at USF’s Varsity and P.E. Courts for the USTA/ITA Southeast Regionals Sunday.

After advancing all the way to the quarterfinals of the main singles bracket, freshman phenom Stephanie Wagner fell to second-seeded Abigail Tere-Apisah of Georgia State in yet another quality match (6-4, 6-3).

“Stephanie definitely made an impact in this tournament,” assistant coach Alex Santos said. “Her tennis just went to another level, and when she was on her A-game, she was extremely hard to beat.”

Wagner defeated USF’s Loreto Alonso Martinez Saturday to advance to the latter stages of the tournament. Though she eventually fell to one of the bracket’s highly regarded players, Coach Santos couldn’t help but express his excitement about the future of one of the team’s emerging talents.

“Her ball is deep, big, and penetrating,” Santos said. “There are no doubts in my mind that she has what it takes to excel in college tennis.”

Junior Brittany Dubins capped an impressive tournament of her own by advancing to the semifinals of the consolation bracket. After defeating Kennesaw State’s Virgine Stein Sunday morning (7-5, 6-2), the junior fell to Florida’s Olivia Janowicz (6-0, 6-0) in the afternoon portion of the backdraw.

“Brittany took another step in her development process,” Santos added. “She knows what she needs to focus on and how to become more aggressive.”

As his team returns to Coral Gables to continue fall practice, Santos emphasized his confidence in a young but talented Hurricanes squad preparing for an important spring campaign.

“We have the talent, we have the weapons, we have the team cohesion,” Santos said. “Work ethic is just part of everyone that forms this elite group of young ladies.”