Women’s Tennis: Several Shine as Women’s Tennis Finishes Big Easy Classic

 NEW ORLEANS – The Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns women’s tennis team had some strong performances from several players to close out their 2015 fall season, headlined by sophomore Kelly Drew, who claimed the flight 1 singles back draw and also teamed with Elena Sava to win the doubles back draw.
 
In the doubles back draw, Drew and Sava won four consecutive matches by scores of 6-3, 6-3, 6-1 and 6-4.
 
Juniors Dana Brankovic and Alexandra Way and sophomore Abby Johnson and senior Melissa Burckhartt paired in the doubles main draw, both falling in the opening round.
 
In the Flight 1 singles back draw, Drew defeated Alexis Dean from Florida A&M, 6-1, 6-7, 13-11.
 
In the Flight 2 singles, sophomore Johnson fell in the first round, but came back to defeat Shantal Blackwood of Florida A&M, 6-1-, 6-0 to advance to the finals of the back draw.
 
Flight 6 of the singles bracket featured Brankovic and freshman Carla Ortega. Brankovic went on to defeat three opponents (Xavier’s Vashni Balleste, 6-3, 6-0; Southeastern’s Natalie Duran, 6-1, 7-6; and McNeese State’s Anastasija Trubich, 6-1, 6-4) to reach the final round.
 
"I am proud of Dana for stepping up and playing well in this tournament," Ragin’ Cajuns head coach Stephanie Vallejos said. "Over the past few weeks she has worked hard at adding variety to her game and it is starting to show. I am looking forward to seeing the progress the team can make as we move forward."