Tennis Advances to SSAC Finals

On day one of the Southern States Athletic Conference tennis championships, the Brenau tennis team defeated Martin Methodist (Tenn.) and Middle Georgia to advance to the finals on Saturday.

The Golden Tigers swept a shorthanded No. 7-seeded Martin Methodist, 9-0 in the opening round of the tournament. The RedHawks defaulted points at No. 3 doubles and No. 6 singles to give Brenau a 2-0 lead at the start of the match.

Wins by SSAC Player of the Year Fatyha Berjane and All-Conference selection Patricia Recalde at No. 1 doubles (8-5) and Kirsten Dickins and Paula Rives at No. 2 doubles (8-3) gave the Golden Tigers a commanding lead going into singles play—where they completed the 9-0 sweep.

In the semifinals, the No. 2-seeded Brenau (Ga.) also advanced with a 5-2 win over No. 3-seeded Middle Georgia State. The Golden Tigers took 2-of-3 doubles matches, before Rebecca Pijls (6-4, 6-2), Patricia Recalde (6-2, 6-2) and Paula Rives (6-2, 7-6 (3)) slammed the door on the semifinal bout in singles play.

No. 2-seeded Brenau will face the No. 1-seeded Auburn Montgomery in the SSAC Women's Tennis Championship finale at 9:00 a.m. CT on Saturday, April 23. The Warhawks won the regular-season meeting by an 8-1 margin.