TEMPE, Ariz. – The accolades continue to roll in for Carson-Newman women's tennis senior Ana Carla Resende (Minas Gerais, Brazil). For the first time in her C-N career, Ana Carla Resende has claimed a spot in the ITA top 10 for women's tennis, garnering the number eight spot nationally in the latest ITA national rankings. This honor comes only days after Resende was named as the number two women's singles player in the Southeast region, one of the hardest regions in all DII women's tennis.
This is the highest national ranking for Resende in her career as her previous career high ranking came last season when she rose as high as the #42 women's singles player in all Division II women's tennis. The national top-10 placement also garners the Brazil native the distinction of being the highest-ranked women's singles player in the SAC thus far this season.
Resende is joined in the national top-50 by fellow SAC players in Wingate's Elena Gunfaus (20th) and Anderson's Anna Greer (49th).
"This is not something to take lightly for her or this program. We know she's worked hard for this, and now the target on her back is even bigger now," Carson-Newman head coach Jim Frederick said. "I wish she was a little higher, but just being in the national top 10 is a huge statement for Ana Carla."
Ana Carla also sees two of her fall opponents claim a spot in the top-10 as Barry's Deniz Khazan remains as the number one singles player in Division II women's tennis. Only two spots ahead of Resende is Flagler's Luisa Hrda, who was able to hand Resende her first loss on the season in the finals of the ITA Southeast Regional earlier this season.
Overall, Ana Carla Resende finished her 2021 fall campaign with a singles record of 11-3, including a 3-1 mark against regionally ranked opponents and a .500 clip against nationally ranked foes.
Most notably in her fall season, Ana Carla was selected as one of the top-16 women's singles players in Division II as she would take part in the 2021 ITA Cup from Rome, Georgia earlier this season from October 14-17. While at the ITA Cup, Resende advanced all the way to being one of the last four remaining before ultimately falling to Khazan in the semifinals.
"We knew that it was going to be the toughest match so far. Ana tried different strategies within the match, but her opponent showed why she is #1 for a reason," Carson-Newman tennis assistant Gabriel Dabdab said. "Ana is an ITA Cup semifinalist which means she is in the top four players in the country, and we couldn't be prouder of her and her effort."
Resende and the rest of the Carson-Newman women's tennis program will continue to prepare for their spring season to begin on February 5 as they will take on the Union (Ky.) Bulldogs from the Knoxville Racquet Club.
"I have no doubt that the best is yet to come and the goal of being an All-American is more alive today than it has ever been," Dabdab said. "We're looking forward to a great season in the spring."
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