MACON, Ga. - In an epic battle between #2-seeded Agnes Scott College and #1-seeded UC-Santa Cruz, the Scotties came up just short, after battling the Banana Slugs for over 4 hours in 90-plus temperatures at the Great South Athletic Conference tournament championship, held on the campus of Wesleyan College (Ga.). After falling behind 4-1, the Scotties (10-9) rallied in the remaining four matches to keep the final result in suspense until GSAC Freshman of the Year Amy Leslie of UCSC took out Magdalena Wimmler at the #5 spot, 6-2, 2-6, 6-4.
"I've never been more proud of a team's effort than today," commented Agnes Scott head coach T.J. Greggs. "We truly have nothing to be ashamed of, as our girls played with heart and hustle. Most importantly, they showed grace in defeat, immediately congratulating their opponents and maintaining a great attitude. This is a special group of young women."
In the doubles, Agnes Scott fell behind 2-0 quickly, as UCSC raced to wins at the #2 and #3 spots, but Taylor Lee and Maddie Hoffman continued their hot streak as of late, winning their sixth straight match in dominating fashion, as they beat Sylvia Brummitt and Stephanie Graziano of UCSC, 8-3.
In the singles, UCSC once again got the early jump on things, winning at #4 and #6 quickly, while the Scotties kept things close at the remaining 4 courts. Hoffman won her first set at the #1 spot, while Camille Wilson played her strongest match of the season, hustling down balls and pushing her opponent around the court, winning the first set 6-2 at the #3 spot to give the Scotties hope.
The Banana Slugs looked to be on their way to a routine win, as Islay Fossett took the first set from Lee at #2, and Leslie won the first set from Wimmler, but the Scotties fought back at both spots to force third sets.
In one of the more impressive matches of the day, Hoffman, the GSAC Player of the Year, left no doubt about her award status, battling severe cramping on court to fight through and give the Scotties another point, winning 7-5, 6-4 over Brummitt, to bring the Scotties to 2-4 down.
Lee, Wilson and Wimmler, who would all have to win to give the Scotties the match, all came back from early deficits in the third set, with both Lee and Wimmler falling behind, 3-0, before evening their matches. As all three matches headed for the finish line, the consistency of Leslie was too much, and the Slugs held on to take down the defending champions, 5-2.
"This was what a championship match is supposed to look like," commented GSAC Commissioner Joeleen Akin. "Both teams should be very proud of the way they competed today."
The Scotties finish their season with 10 wins for the second year in a row. They will join the USA South Conference next year, returning all of their players except senior Nikki Langford and Wimmler, who is an exchange student at Agnes Scott this season.
"Nikki and Lena have been such great teammates this season," commented Greggs. "They both played a large role in our success this season."
