April 17, 2019

Resende earns Freshman of the Year and First-Team Singles after debut season

ROCK HILL, S.C. -- A stellar debut season with Carson-Newman women's tennis earned Ana Carla Resende a pair of South Atlantic Conference honors as she is a first-team singles selection, as well as Freshman of the Year, announced Wednesday by the league.

ROCK HILL, S.C. -- A stellar debut season with Carson-Newman women's tennis earned Ana Carla Resende a pair of South Atlantic Conference honors as she is a first-team singles selection, as well as Freshman of the Year, announced Wednesday by the league.

"I think it shows the effort we put on the court was worth it," Resende said. "I think it made me very happy."

Despite stepping foot on campus for the first time in January and missing the fall season, Resende was thrown into the fire and spent her entire season at the No. 1 singles position.

"I think (arriving late) for me it was more challenging, but I think it was good for competition."

Welcoming the challenge, she concluded the season with a 13-4 overall record and going 6-2 in conference play with her only losses being against nationally top 20 ranked Wingate University and Queens University. Resende defeated one division one opponent in the University of Chatanooga and stayed consistent in her winning ways against #12 Sewanee, #13 University of North Georgia and #45 Tusculum.

"I think my confidence now is a little bit higher," Resende said. "So, that shows me that I'm able to play with anyone and I can win."

First-year head coach Jim Frederick has had high praise for the freshman all season with the way she conducts herself on the court and off the court.

"Besides being a very, very good player," Frederick said of Resende, "She is absolutely a better human being. She got better with every match throughout the season, and she's really receptive to coaching."

Resende believes it was Coach Frederick and the support and encouragement of her team that helped her produce an individually successful first-year campaign.

"I think they have supported me a lot and helped with some issues or problems that I had. I think they are an important piece in this whole season."

2019 SAC Women's Tennis All-Conference

First Team Doubles

Annie McCullough / Caitlin McCullough, Tusculum

Sasha Davidzenka / Yana Fleyer, Queens

Michela Verpelli / Alisa Rudenko, Wingate

Second Team Doubles

Claudia De Andreis / Chyi Lee, Wingate

Gemma Southwick / Diana Babinets, Lenoir-Rhyne

Laura Dean / Mirna Curcic, Anderson

Honorable Mention Doubles

Brittani Brooks / Emilie Hansen, Tusculum