Texas Tech University Athletics
Young Women's Tennis Team Conquers Fall Competition
December 07, 2018 | Women's Tennis
Lady Raiders newcomers find success early in first season on campus
LUBBOCK, Texas – Despite having a very young team, the Texas Tech Women's Tennis program had a great fall season. Six of the newcomers combined for a 37-24 record in their first seasons at the collegiate level.Â
Â
"It was a good fall in terms of development. They learned what it really meant to compete and work hard," Head Coach Todd Petty said. "The results are always up and down early and ours were no different. However, you can't put a value on learning and figuring out how to sacrifice for others."
Â
Freshman Sydney Jones, a Carrollton, Texas, native, led the team with an 8-4 singles record during the fall. In her first collegiate tournament, she advanced to the Round of 16 at the Racquet Club Collegiate Invitational.
Â
Senior Francesca Sella, a transfer from San Jose State, posted an 8-5 record in singles play during the fall. As the 13th-seeded player, Sella won four straight matches to advance to the semifinal round of the ITA Texas Regional tournament.
Â
Freshman Olivia Peet went 6-3 in her first semester with the Lady Raiders. In the opening weekend, Peet advanced to the quarterfinals on the Racquet Club Collegiate Invitational in Midland, Texas. Peet was selected as the No. 22 seed at the ITA Texas Regional where she defeated No. 11-seed Karina Traxler in a tiebreaker set.
Â
Romanian native Denise-Antonela Stoica posted a 5-3 record in her first collegiate season. Her fall campaign was highlighted by a 6-4, 6-3 victory over No. 9 Stacey Fung (Washington).
Â
Texas Tech has had strong doubles play since Petty has taken over as head coach. The Lady Raiders have had atleast one doubles pair ranked every season since the 2012 season.
Â
"When you have a young team getting off to a great start, it makes a huge difference in doubles play. Knowing we can play good doubles give them confidence," Petty said.
Â
Freshmen duo Peet and Jones teamed up in doubles action to post a 7-1 record in their first season with the Lady Raiders. The pair went 4-0 to capture the Racquet Club Collegiate Invitational title in the opening weekend of fall play. During the ITA Texas Regionals, the duo advanced to the semifinals as the no. 9 seed.
Â
"Olivia and Sydney put together a good fall. Honestly, I feel like we can go with any combination at this point since we have so much depth," Petty said.
Â
Senior Felicity Maltby teamed up with newcomer Nell Miller to post a 3-1 record over the fall semester. The pair, ranked No. 53 in the Oracle/ITA Division I Preseason Rankings, went undefeated at the TCU Big 5 Challenge before qualifying for the Riviera/ITA All-American Championships.
Â
Senior Lana Rush and freshman Kennedy Bridgforth combined for a 4-1 doubles record this fall. The duo started out the season 3-0 with an undefeated showing at the TCU Big 5 Challenge and a 2-1 performance at the UNLV Rebel Invitational.
Â
Â
"It was a good fall in terms of development. They learned what it really meant to compete and work hard," Head Coach Todd Petty said. "The results are always up and down early and ours were no different. However, you can't put a value on learning and figuring out how to sacrifice for others."
Â
Freshman Sydney Jones, a Carrollton, Texas, native, led the team with an 8-4 singles record during the fall. In her first collegiate tournament, she advanced to the Round of 16 at the Racquet Club Collegiate Invitational.
Â
Senior Francesca Sella, a transfer from San Jose State, posted an 8-5 record in singles play during the fall. As the 13th-seeded player, Sella won four straight matches to advance to the semifinal round of the ITA Texas Regional tournament.
Â
Freshman Olivia Peet went 6-3 in her first semester with the Lady Raiders. In the opening weekend, Peet advanced to the quarterfinals on the Racquet Club Collegiate Invitational in Midland, Texas. Peet was selected as the No. 22 seed at the ITA Texas Regional where she defeated No. 11-seed Karina Traxler in a tiebreaker set.
Â
Romanian native Denise-Antonela Stoica posted a 5-3 record in her first collegiate season. Her fall campaign was highlighted by a 6-4, 6-3 victory over No. 9 Stacey Fung (Washington).
Â
Texas Tech has had strong doubles play since Petty has taken over as head coach. The Lady Raiders have had atleast one doubles pair ranked every season since the 2012 season.
Â
"When you have a young team getting off to a great start, it makes a huge difference in doubles play. Knowing we can play good doubles give them confidence," Petty said.
Â
Freshmen duo Peet and Jones teamed up in doubles action to post a 7-1 record in their first season with the Lady Raiders. The pair went 4-0 to capture the Racquet Club Collegiate Invitational title in the opening weekend of fall play. During the ITA Texas Regionals, the duo advanced to the semifinals as the no. 9 seed.
Â
"Olivia and Sydney put together a good fall. Honestly, I feel like we can go with any combination at this point since we have so much depth," Petty said.
Â
Senior Felicity Maltby teamed up with newcomer Nell Miller to post a 3-1 record over the fall semester. The pair, ranked No. 53 in the Oracle/ITA Division I Preseason Rankings, went undefeated at the TCU Big 5 Challenge before qualifying for the Riviera/ITA All-American Championships.
Â
Senior Lana Rush and freshman Kennedy Bridgforth combined for a 4-1 doubles record this fall. The duo started out the season 3-0 with an undefeated showing at the TCU Big 5 Challenge and a 2-1 performance at the UNLV Rebel Invitational.
Â
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
Highlights vs. Boston U (NCAA First Round)
Friday, May 02
Postmatch Press Conference - NCAA First Round
Friday, May 02
Tennis Educational Video
Thursday, May 01
Tic-Tac-Toe Serving Game
Thursday, May 01