University of Georgia Athletics
Hertel Highlights Big Day for the Bulldogs
October 16, 2021 | Women's Tennis
ORLANDO, Fla. – The tandem of Morgan Coppoc and Mell Reasco advance to the semifinals, while three Bulldogs find their way to the quarterfinals of the main draw at the ITA Southeast Regional.
Senior Meg Kowalski, junior Ania Hertel, and freshman Reasco all notched singles wins on Saturday, Oct. 16. No. 15 Kowalski defeated Georgia Tech's Kylie Bilchev, 2-6, 6-4, 6-1 in a thrilling three-set match. Hertel also found herself in an exhilarating three-setter. The Warsaw, Poland native, triumphed over Miami's No. 16 Isabella Pfennig, 4-6, 6-1, 6-2.
Reasco, the nation's number four freshman/newcomer, continued to build on her collegiate resume. She topped Andreea Velcea of FIU in straight sets, 6-3, 7-5.
No. 66 Coppoc fell to Florida State's No. 125 Petra Hule in straight sets, 6-2 6-4.
In doubles play, No. 42 Coppoc and Reasco added two wins to the win column. The pair defeated Florida State's Arkadianou and Jacobs, 8-4 in the Round of 16, and beat Umarova and Kabbaj of FIU in a tight match, 8-6.
No. 50 Hertel and Guillermina Grant squared off against Central Florida's Mattel and Sharma. The duo fought hard but lost 8-7(5) in an eight-game pro-set tiebreaker. The team of Kowalski and Mai Nirundorn also fell in the Round of 16. Florida's Briggs and Zein won, 8-2.
"Today was a step forward for the team," said Georgia associate head coach Drake Bernstein. "Our freshmen were outstanding today. Mell was tough all day today. She found ways to play on her terms when it mattered most and was able to execute under pressure."
"Meg has been terrific mentally all week here. She is digging her heels into every point of every match she plays and fighting like a Dawg," Bernstein said.
"Ania had her best win yet, defeating the number 16 player in the country," said Bernstein. "Her opponent (Isabella Pfennig) forced her to earn everything and she played with confidence and poise on the key points. It is great to see her game grow. She is learning how to use the scoreboard to her favor and add additional pressure at the right times."
The Bulldogs will continue action at the ITA Southeast Regional, Sunday, Oct. 17, in the Quarterfinals (singles) and Semifinals (doubles).
Keep up with all the latest news and information on the Bulldogs by following UGA Women's Tennis on Twitter @UGAWomensTennis, on Instagram @UGAWomensTennis, and on Facebook @GeorgiaWomensTennis or check out information online at georgiadogs.com.
ITA Southeast Regional
Singles
Round of 16
#15 Meg Kowalski (Georgia) def. Kylie Bilchev (Georgia Tech) 2-6, 6-4, 6-1
Mell Reasco (Georgia) def. Andreea Velcea (FIU) 6-3, 7-5
Ania Hertel (Georgia) def. #16 Isabella Pfennig (Miami) 4-6, 6-1, 6-2
#125 Petra Hule (Florida State) def. #66 Morgan Coppoc (Georgia) 6-2 6-4
Doubles
Round of 16
#42 Coppoc/Reasco (Georgia) def. Arkadianou/Jacobs (Florida State) 8-4
Briggs/Zein (Florida) def. Kowalski/Nirundorn (Georgia) 8-2
Mattel/Sharma (UCF) def. #50 Hertel/Grant (Georgia) 8-7(5)
Quarterfinals
#42 Coppoc/Reasco (Georgia) def. Umarova/Kabbaj (FIU) 8-6
Players Mentioned
