The Thunderbirds and Pandas lining up and ready to play. Photo Cred: Andrew Joohan Oh.
The UBC TSC Women’s Tennis Team battled until the end on March 2nd against the University of Alberta in the Western Canadian University Tennis Championship, but the underdog Thunderbirds came up short in a 5-2 setback at the UBC Tennis Centre.
For the fourth match of four this term, the UBC team of Madison Fan and Jessica Silva took the No. 1 doubles match 8-2. Leaving the pair undefeated in this 2019 Spring Season. The Pandas posted a victory at No. 3, leaving the doubles point up to the No. 2 pair of Yizhen Song and Martina Capelli, who fell short 4-8, and UofA taking the doubles point.
In singles, the battles continued. Fan quickly took charge and won her match at No. 2 against RJ Gan, 6-4, 6-3, finishing the entire season undefeated in singles. While Michelle Lim was defeated at No. 4 by a 6-4, 6-1 margin and then Silva also came up short with a tough two set loss of 7-6(3), 6-3 at the No. 1 position. All singles matches at No. 3, 5, and 6 went to full three set matches. Capelli captured another point at No. 6, winning her three setter 6-2, 4-6, 6-1. While Abigail Heninger fell to Alina Jurca at No. 5 after a second set come back, 3-6, 6-2, 1-6. The match wrapped up with Song leaving all she had on the court at No. 3, but being defeated 7-5, 4-6, 2-6.
While the championship was one of the closest yet between the Thunderbirds and Pandas, the UBC TSC Women’s Tennis Team is disappointed in the result, but proud of the fight and competitiveness all players put out on the court. The match-up also drew the largest crowd yet to a UBC Tennis match, and the Thunderbirds are thankful to all for the support!
The Thunderbirds conclude the 2018-19 season with a 4-3 overall record. With both young and experienced players excited for the future, the team is already looking to progress the team forward on and off the court for the 2019-20 season.
Martina Capelli and Yizhen Song exchange a fist bump. Photo Cred: Andrew Joohan Oh.