SUMTER, S.C. – Senior Ana Carla Resende (Minas Gerais, Brazil) has continued to lead the way for Carson-Newman women's tennis as they take part in the ITA Southeast Regional qualifiers in Sumter, South Carolina. Resende has been absolute dominant in every match thus far, making her way to the women's singles semifinals to take place on Monday, September 27, from the Palmetto Tennis Center.
Resende has been making her fall debut in 2021 worth every moment as she starts her fourth year as an Eagle. She came into Sumter and was awarded a place as one of the two 3rd-seeded singles player. So far this tournament, she has victories over Frankee Hendricks in the round of 64 before defeating Hanna Axelsson in the round of 32.
With her two victories, it would be Resende squaring off with 9th-seeded Ebba Rosberg Sunday afternoon with a spot in the quarterfinals on the line. Resende left absolutely no doubt as she walked away the 6-4, 6-1 winner. Resende moved on and would face 8th-seeded Vaishali Jorge in Sunday's quarterfinal round.
Resende marked her spot in Monday's semifinal after defeating Jorge 6-0, 7-6 (3) in the quarterfinals. The Brazil native will face the winner of Inma Ramon and 9th-seeded Mariana Ramirez in the semifinals Monday morning at 10:00 a.m.
"Ana has not lost a set on her way to the semifinals," head coach Jim Frederick said. "Today, in the quarters she won the first set easily and struggled in the second but hung mentally tough and pulled it out in a tie breaker."
The Eagles also saw a pair of athletes continue competing in the women's singles consolation bracket Sunday. Junior Natasha Forrest (Jersey, United Kingdom) worked her way into a spot for the round of 16 in the consolation bracket after winning two straight on Saturday night. Her opponent for Sunday would be none other than Emilie Hansen, who was able to knock out fellow Eagle Julia Speiser in her last match. Unfortunately, Forrest would not see action again as the ITA decided to cancel the draw at the point of the round of 16 for the consolation bracket. She and the rest of her Eagles teammates will now cheer on Resende as she goes for the women's singles title on Monday.
The other Eagle in action as part of the women's consolation bracket was graduate student Hannah Price (Knoxville, Tenn.). Price came into this weekend after being awarded one of the placements as a 16th-seeded singles player. After losing in her first main bracket action during the round of 64, Price was slotted in the consolation bracket against Lauren Castillon on Saturday. Price defeated Castillon before moving on and claiming a walk-over win against Laure Jipescu Saturday as well.
With her two victories on Saturday, Price saw a matchup against Claudelle Labonte-Frey in the consolation bracket round of 16 on Sunday. Price never saw action against Labonte-Frey as the ITA deemed her opponent as injured and cancelled the draw at the round of 16 in consolation bracket action. Price will join the rest of Carson-Newman women's tennis in cheering on Resende Monday.
Carson-Newman will see Resende back in action on Monday morning as she will compete in the women's singles semifinals at 10:00 a.m. from the Palmetto Tennis Center in Sumter, South Carolina.
"This is quite a milestone for Ana and for Carson-Newman tennis," Frederick said.
Be sure to follow all things Carson-Newman women's tennis during the 2021-22 season via cneagles.com and all of Carson-Newman's social media platforms.
