(Brooklyn, NY) With the beautiful water backdrop and sailboats along the Sheepshead Bay, the FIT Women's Tennis Team had the perfect setting to take down the Kingsborough Wave last Saturday and Sunday.
Coming off of a season where you take 2nd in the country at the National Championships, puts a lot of pressure on your returning team to do the same again. The Tigers didn't let nerves or doubts enter their minds as they were fueled and fired up to attack.
The Tigers didn't even let Kingsborough get close to utilizing their home court advantage. In fact they showed no mercy, sweeping the Waves 9-0 overall.
The singles matches were all won in the minimum two games required. Freshman
Nicole Druzhinsky was the first to take down her opponent 6-2, 6-1. Veteran
Kiana Brooks toughed through her persistent opponent and was victorious with matches ending 6-1, 6-2. Freshman
Nadezhda Zelenova played smart matches, scoring 6-0, 6-1. Returning Sophomore
Alexandra Krynyckyi dominated her matches from the beginning, and finished 6-1, 6-0.
Maia Sepulveda didn't even let her opponent come up for air, and had the perfect score of 6-0, 6-0.
Post victory
Kiana Brooks stated, "I believe we were very skillful at the net, good at staying aggressive, and remaining in control throughout the entire match, and that helps set us apart from other teams."
To start off doubles, Kingsborough gave Druzhinsky and Brooks a run for their money. However, the Waves weren't able to keep up with the aces that both Druzhinsky and Brooks were throwing down. Sepulveda and Zelenova took control from the beginning, crushing Kingsborough 8-0. To wrap up the doubles scoring, Freshman
Michele Sparrow and
Alanna Jones won without having to compete as Kingsborough was forced to default.
The key to FIT's continued success certainly has to do with the commeraderie on the team. "It's always a pleasure playing with the team and cheering each other on - we're so supportive of each other. We played to win and that's what we did." said
Nicole Druzhinsky on Sunday after her final doubles match.
Nadezhda Zelenova also thought "that the team was very supportive and encouraging. All of us were very focused, yet friendly and cooperative. We were just enjoying ourselves on the court!" Which is exactly how the game should be played!
These matches leave the Tigers seasonal record 2-0 overall and 2-0 in the conference. Although there are many new faces, the confidence and team moral that is being build is most definitely helping to nudge them in the right direction for a repeat spectacular season.
Stay tuned as the the women begin to embark on their journey to the Championship season. The Tigers will start out this weekend with the Region Championship, where they hope to be repeat champions! Be sure to wish them the best of luck!
