Conway, AR – After a hot start at the University of Central Arkansas Fall Classic, Austin Peay State University (APSU) women’s tennis team capped off their weekend with an exclamation mark, with Danielle Morris and Sarah Heckel each taking home a singles title.
After a first day that saw the APSU Governors go unbeaten in singles, the Govs won two of the five singles flights at the UCA Fall Classic.
Morris was able to run the table en route to taking home the flight one title. Morris knocked off Louisiana Tech’s Pornpawee Pramethong in the finals, 6-1 6-2.
Pramethong was able to advance to the finals after Austin Peay State University’s Fabienne Schmidt pulled out due to illness, ending the chance of an all-Governor finale.
In Singles Flight Four, freshman Sarah Heckel collected her first win as a Governor on day one of the tournament. Heckel was able to ride that momentum all the way to the finals, where she took home the Singles Flight Four crown. Ana Albertson was able to bounce back after losing her first match of the day, beating Southeast Missouri’s Grace Powderly in straight sets, 6-1 6-0.
The duo of Schmidt and Morris dropped their first doubles match of the season. Despite playing with flu symptoms, Schmidt gutted it out, as the Governors fell 5-7.
Thoughts from APSU Coach Ross Brown
On day one
“All of our girls were able to get a win in singles. I’m happy for Sarah to get her first win for Austin Peay State University. Fabienne [Schmidt] was able to get a good win against a conference rival when she was not feeling well, Ana [Albertson] was very solid, and Danielle [Morris] played exceptional. Tomorrow will be a long day, and we are looking for our players to manage their time between points and project a strong image.”
On day two
“I’m extremely pleased with Danielle [Morris]. That’s as good as I’ve ever seen her play, it was really solid tennis and I’m sure it will help her confidence. Fabienne [Schmidt] played in her doubles match with some flu symptoms, which also caused her to pull out of her singles match. I’m really pleased with Sarah [Heckel] and her win. For a freshman to have a win like this will really help her confidence. Ana [Albertson] won one match and lost another, everyone had a win today, and we saw some really good tennis. We need to work and improve our doubles, but the effort and work ethic out there was fantastic.
Next Up For APSU Women’s Tennis
The APSU Governors will be back in action at the ITA Ohio Valley Regional, October 17th-22nd, in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
The tournament will mark the end of the fall schedule for women’s tennis, who will pick things back up in late January.
APSU Govs Day Two Match Results
Flight One Singles
Semifinals
Danielle Morris (APSU) def. Ana Jover (LTU) 6-1 6-4
Finals
Danielle Morris (APSU) def. Pornpawee Pramethong (ASU) 6-1 6-2
Flight Four Singles
Semifinals
Sarah Heckel (APSU) def. Manuela Barriga (SEMO) 6-1 6-1
Finals
Sarah Heckel (APSU) def. Rikona Murakami (LTU) 6-4 6-1
Flight Five Singles
Second Round
Grace Anne Dunavant (UTC) def. Ana Albertson (APSU) 2-6 4-6
Third Round
Ana Albertson (APSU def. Grace Powderly (SEMO) 6-1 6-0
Flight One Doubles
Finals
Nonoyama/ Gledic (UCA) def. Schmidt/Morris (APSU) 5-7
