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Wind, Bente close tournament play on high note
Jan 18, 2018 | Women's Tennis
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Despite a slow start to the weekend against some of the nation's best talent, Tiger senior Anki Wind and freshman Laura Bente capped the National Collegiate Tennis Classic in Palm Springs, Calif., on a high note.
Playing against No. 1 Stanford and No. 12 Texas on the first two days, the Tiger duo dropped a doubles match and a pair of singles matches, but used momentum from their Saturday singles action against the Longhorns to capture a doubles win and a pair of singles victories against No. 17 UCLA to close the weekend.
Beginning with doubles, the Tiger tandem faced off against UCLA's talented duo of Gabby Andrews, who is the former No. 1 junior doubles player in the world, and Alaina Miller, a former top-10 junior doubles player in the country. Trailing 5-2, Wind and Bente hit their stride and collected four straight points to gain a 6-5 lead before closing the match with a key 8-6 victory.
In singles play, Wind gained a quick 2-0 advantage in the opening set before Bruin freshman Sophie Bendetti retired due to injury. This weekend's action was Wind's first time competing for the Tigers since last April due to injury.
"It was great to see her get out and play," assistant coach Ryan Haymond said of the senior leader. "That in itself was a victory. Our goal was to just get her more experience since she's been out for so long. I'm really proud of the way she competed."
Bente followed with an impressive win, defeating Bruin senior Kristen Wiley 6-7, 6-1, 6-4. After falling in the first set, the Tiger newcomer used power and consistency to take the second set and carried the momentum over to the final frame to secure the victory.
"After an up and down start, Laura became steadier in the second set," Haymond said. "Kristen challenged Laura in a tight third set, with Laura playing huge in the big points late. Overall, that's very impressive play from a freshman against someone consistently in the lineup at a Top 20 school."
Memphis is set to open dual match play Friday as the Tigers welcome UAB and UT Martin to the Racquet Club of Memphis for a double header.
Playing against No. 1 Stanford and No. 12 Texas on the first two days, the Tiger duo dropped a doubles match and a pair of singles matches, but used momentum from their Saturday singles action against the Longhorns to capture a doubles win and a pair of singles victories against No. 17 UCLA to close the weekend.
Beginning with doubles, the Tiger tandem faced off against UCLA's talented duo of Gabby Andrews, who is the former No. 1 junior doubles player in the world, and Alaina Miller, a former top-10 junior doubles player in the country. Trailing 5-2, Wind and Bente hit their stride and collected four straight points to gain a 6-5 lead before closing the match with a key 8-6 victory.
In singles play, Wind gained a quick 2-0 advantage in the opening set before Bruin freshman Sophie Bendetti retired due to injury. This weekend's action was Wind's first time competing for the Tigers since last April due to injury.
"It was great to see her get out and play," assistant coach Ryan Haymond said of the senior leader. "That in itself was a victory. Our goal was to just get her more experience since she's been out for so long. I'm really proud of the way she competed."
Bente followed with an impressive win, defeating Bruin senior Kristen Wiley 6-7, 6-1, 6-4. After falling in the first set, the Tiger newcomer used power and consistency to take the second set and carried the momentum over to the final frame to secure the victory.
"After an up and down start, Laura became steadier in the second set," Haymond said. "Kristen challenged Laura in a tight third set, with Laura playing huge in the big points late. Overall, that's very impressive play from a freshman against someone consistently in the lineup at a Top 20 school."
Memphis is set to open dual match play Friday as the Tigers welcome UAB and UT Martin to the Racquet Club of Memphis for a double header.
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