Women's tennis team qualifies for national tournament

The Eastern Florida State College women's tennis team placed third at the Region VIII Women's Tennis Championships at Sanlando Park in Altamonte Springs.

The Titans won three third-place matches on Thursday to finish third and qualified for the NJCAA Division I National Tournament in Tyler, Texas.

Luisa Renovales cruised in her third-place match at No. 6 singles, winning 8-0 to give the Titans their first win of the day. Renovales defeated State College of Florida-Manatee's Alexis Dunlap in one of the quickest matches of the day.

No. 3 singles player Gloria Barcaro finished strong to pick up an 8-6 victory over SCF-Manatee player Ainhoa Meili Fernandez who she lost to earlier this season for third place. Barcaro's victory officially clinched third place for the Titans. But they weren't finished.

No. 1 singles player Emma Sanchez finished the day with a win against SCF-Manatee's Ainara Vegal Rodriguez. Sanchez finished third in the championships with an 8-6 win.

In championship matches both Simona Karlsson Hantzis and Helena Jokanovic both lost in straight sets. Karlsson lost to Hillsborough Community College's Esmee Andresen at No. 2 singles while Jokanovic fell to Hillsborough Community College's Camilla Mitolo at No. 5 singles.

"They have come together at the end, the wakeup call happened a week or two ago and it has brought this team together," Eastern Florida State College women's tennis coach Bobby Cashman said. "Not all teams get along, but you have to play for the team, it is a good lesson in life, you have to be a good team player to be on a good team. I am happy for them, now on to the national tournament."

It is the first time that Eastern Florida State College had two singles players playing in the final.

The NJCAA Division I National Tournament will begin May 6 at the Joann Medlock Murphy Tennis Center in Tyler, Texas.