WOMEN’S TENNIS

Led by Michelle Ncube, the Troy Women’s Tennis program rounded out a sound fall slate to prepare for the upcoming spring league action. Troy’s best outing of the fall came at the ITA Southern Regional at the Roberta Alison Baumgardner Tennis Facility. Ncube kicked off action Thursday against McNeese State’s Natalia Mora Ballo, advancing to the Qualifying Round of 32 with a 6-3 6-4 win. The Harare, Zimbabwe native followed with a win over Samford’s Sofia Zaprianov, 6-4, 6-3, to climb to Friday’s Qualifying Round of 16. Ncube kickstarted the Friday with a 6-4 6-3 win over Jacksonville State’s Romane Mosse in the Qualifying Quarterfinals to earn a spot in the Main Draw before battling from behind, 5-0, to earn a 7-5 6-0 win over Southern Miss’ Ebru Zeynep Yazgan to advance to tomorrow’s Main Draw Round of 32.

“Michelle Ncube hasn’t dropped a set all weekend despite some really long days,” said head coach Rawia Elsisi. “In her last match today, she stayed really focused on the court and came from behind against a really tough opponent. I am very proud of her for making her way through the qualifying rounds and into the main draw. She had been putting in a lot of work prior to this tournament, and it is evident on the court. She is getting better day by day.” After not dropping a set through her first two days of action and fighting through the qualifying rounds to earn a spot in the Main Draw, Michelle Ncube came up short in the round of 32 to LSU’s Mia Rabinowitz, 6-2 6-3. Led by sophomore Andrea Widing, Troy women’s tennis closed out the fall season the following weekend at the at the Roberta Alison Fall Classic hosted by the University of Alabama. After dropping the opening set 6-2 to Dolavee Tumthong, Widing rebounded for a clutch 6-3 victory in the second set. In the third set tiebreaker, Widing cruised to 10 of the 12 points to earn the victory.

The Trojans will take the winter off in preparation for the upcoming conference slate beginning in January.

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