2008 Woodie Awards
Tigers open season with
Men's and Women's teams compete in first tournaments.
By: Michael Mylan
Issue date: 10/3/08 Section: Sports
The Clemson men's and women's tennis seasons have just begun and both look promising. The men finished up their first event in the Blue-Gray
Invitational the weekend of Sept. 12, while the women just got back
from the Furman Fall Classic last weekend.
The Blue-Gray Invitational took place in Montgomery, Ala., and turned out to be a successful weekend for the Tigers. Rok Bizjak, a Clemson sophomore from Slovenia, finished the invitational singles in second place, losing in the finals to Victor Sanakai Papi of Auburn University at Montgomery (6-3, 6-2).
The Tigers had another player in the top three for singles as freshman Derek De Fazio defeated Monte Tucker of Auburn 7-6, 6-6. The Consolation Bracket victor and number four for singles was also a Tiger, freshman Kevin Galloway, who defeated Luis Arboleda of West Florida.
As for the doubles matches, Clemson's tandem of Bizjak and sophomore Carlos Alvarez came up just short to the Auburn players, Michale Johnson and Monte Tucker. It was disappointing for the Tigers to come up short and settle for second place in both singles and doubles. The experience, however, was helpful for the young team as they look to their next event this weekend in Atlanta at the Georgia Tech Invitational.
As for the Clemson women's team, they returned home from their invitational very pleased.
Ani Mijacika, the junior standout from Croatia, won her second straight Furman Fall Classic. Mijacika won fairly easily against South Carolina's Ana Zubori losing only three games (6-1, 6-2).
She looked extremely impressive in defending her 2007 championship at the invitational.
Freshman Josipa Bek also had an impressive weekend. She was able to finish third in the tournament after defeating Florida State's Lauren MacFarlane (6-1, 6-3). Ina Hadzisemlimovic, a junior from Bosnia, was able to take a fifth-place finish.
Mijacika and Federica Van Adrichem head to California next for the Riviera All-American Championships.
The two will compete to qualify in doubles play which began Tuesday, Sept. 30. Mijacika also looks to qualify for the singles event which began on Thursday.
Mijacika, one of the best tennis players in the country as only a junior, looks to have another successful season ahead of her, judging from last year's performance. The two tennis teams, both men's and women's, look poised to give Clemson a great year.
Invitational the weekend of Sept. 12, while the women just got back
from the Furman Fall Classic last weekend.
The Blue-Gray Invitational took place in Montgomery, Ala., and turned out to be a successful weekend for the Tigers. Rok Bizjak, a Clemson sophomore from Slovenia, finished the invitational singles in second place, losing in the finals to Victor Sanakai Papi of Auburn University at Montgomery (6-3, 6-2).
The Tigers had another player in the top three for singles as freshman Derek De Fazio defeated Monte Tucker of Auburn 7-6, 6-6. The Consolation Bracket victor and number four for singles was also a Tiger, freshman Kevin Galloway, who defeated Luis Arboleda of West Florida.
As for the doubles matches, Clemson's tandem of Bizjak and sophomore Carlos Alvarez came up just short to the Auburn players, Michale Johnson and Monte Tucker. It was disappointing for the Tigers to come up short and settle for second place in both singles and doubles. The experience, however, was helpful for the young team as they look to their next event this weekend in Atlanta at the Georgia Tech Invitational.
As for the Clemson women's team, they returned home from their invitational very pleased.
Ani Mijacika, the junior standout from Croatia, won her second straight Furman Fall Classic. Mijacika won fairly easily against South Carolina's Ana Zubori losing only three games (6-1, 6-2).
She looked extremely impressive in defending her 2007 championship at the invitational.
Freshman Josipa Bek also had an impressive weekend. She was able to finish third in the tournament after defeating Florida State's Lauren MacFarlane (6-1, 6-3). Ina Hadzisemlimovic, a junior from Bosnia, was able to take a fifth-place finish.
Mijacika and Federica Van Adrichem head to California next for the Riviera All-American Championships.
The two will compete to qualify in doubles play which began Tuesday, Sept. 30. Mijacika also looks to qualify for the singles event which began on Thursday.
Mijacika, one of the best tennis players in the country as only a junior, looks to have another successful season ahead of her, judging from last year's performance. The two tennis teams, both men's and women's, look poised to give Clemson a great year.
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