Nov. 10, 2013
Live Scoring | Follow the trip to NYC on the WTEN Blog | USTA/ITA National Indoor Info Page
FLUSHING, N.Y. – It was a memorable day for the Georgia Tech women’s tennis program as #26 Megan Kurey and Kendal Woodard defeated #58 Julia Fellerhoff and Rebecca Shine of the University of Louisville to win the 2013 USTA/ITA National Indoor Intercollegiate Championships doubles title.
“First we would like to thank all involved at the USTA and ITA for putting on a wonderful event,” assistant coach Alison Silverio said. “Also, congratulations to Louisville for a successful tournament and a hard fought doubles final, they never went away. We have received tremendous support from our Georgia Tech Family and appreciate everyone that has been behind us, it makes a huge difference.”
The match went into three sets, but Woodard and Kurey recorded a 4-6, 6-3, 7-5 victory against Fellerhoff and Shine.
The duo showed determination after falling in the first set, 6-4, and rebounding with a 6-3 win in set two.
“It was a well fought match today from both sides,” Silverio said. “Kendal and Megan were tough as nails and made big time plays in high pressure situations. They played together and won as a team. The focus, energy, belief, and disciplined execution has been a constant throughout the tournament. We also had success throughout the tournament because we have been focused on the process and getting better each and every day.”
The third set would prove to be a close one, as both teams were determined to get the victory. Woodard and Kurey jumped to a 3-0 lead, before the Cardinals fought back to within a point of the Jackets, 4-3. Fellerhoff and Shine would tie up the set 5-5 before Kurey and Woodard tallied two-straight points, 7-5, to win the doubles crown.
“From last spring and through this summer and fall, Megan and I have been working hard day in and day out and focusing on getting better as a team,” Woodard said. “It was pure elation for us to win the Title today! And we will continue to work hard to get better.”
“Kendal and Megan made program history and displayed championship character today,” Silverio said. Coach Harmon and I are very proud of their accomplishment. They are the 2013 Indoor National Doubles Champions, and that title will stay with them for a lifetime! It is well deserved for these two student-athletes.”
The National Indoors crown caps off a successful fall season for Kurey and Woodard. The tandem went 14-4 this fall and owned an impressive 7-3 record against nationally ranked opponents. The duo has won nine straight matches, including three straight during national indoors on their way to the national doubles title.
“”We are super excited to bring the title back to Georgia Tech,” Kurey said. “It means so much to be apart of such a supportive GT family, you all got us through the battles.”
The USTA/ITA National Indoor Intercollegiate Championships serves as the culmination of the fall season, showcasing elite players from every level of college tennis. Hosted by Columbia University, this prestigious event features a 32-player singles draw and a 20-team doubles draw for men and women.
Gaining automatic entry into the tournament are champions from the USTA/ITA Division I Regional Championships held across the country in October, winners of the USTA/ITA National Small College Super Bowl, and the consolation champions, doubles finalists, men’s singles quarterfinalists and women’s singles semifinalists from the ITA Men’s and Riviera/ITA Women’s All-American Championships.
Follow the Georgia Tech women’s tennis blog as it follows Megan and Kendal’s trip here. Make sure to follow Coach Ali Silverio on Twitter, @GT_CoachAli, for exclusive information on the trip and throughout the season.
Fans are encouraged to follow Georgia Tech women’s tennis on Twitter, @GT_WTEN, and like the Yellow Jackets on Facebook, GTWomensTennis, for an inside look at the program.
–RamblinWreck.com
