Collin College won 13 matches at the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Women's Tennis Championships last week in Tyler, finishing in the top 10 of the tournament.

The team placed seventh overall, and Coach Jamie Nanez said the players fought hard for their wins.

"Realistically, I think we finished about where we should have," Nanez said. "I think we could have finished above Seward (County Community College) if we were playing head-to-head, but that's not how the points worked out. We went in and did what we were supposed to."

Nanez noted that the team had good draws on the first two days of play, but most of the matches on the third day were against eventual No. 1 Hillsborough College or No. 2. Cowley College.

Larissa Giraldi Correa won two singles matches and paired with Viktoriia Fedorova for two doubles victories. Federova had two singles wins as well.

Nanez said the No. 1 doubles team had a strong showing against Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College on day three but ultimately finished in two sets, 3-6 and 5-7.

Jhastine Red Ballado won her first singles match but lost her second. Her doubles partner, Ekaterina Orlova, faired similarly. The pair won their first doubles match, then had a walkover on day two.

Playing No. 3 singles, Orlova had a good chance against Cowley and took her opponent to a 4-6 first set before losing the second set 0-6. 

"Her level is good. She can play with the best players. But the pressure is tough to deal with sometimes," Nanez said. We are going to talk about using this year as an experience year."  

Margaryta Bugaienko put up a pair of early singles wins.

Sofia Gonzalez had a first-day win before facing off against an opponent from Hillsborough County Community College on day two. The match ended 2-6, 1-6, but Nanez said he thought she fought throughout. 

"The score doesn't always reflect the level of play," Nanez said. "You can win a lot of points and still lose the match."

Next year will be a rebuilding year for the team. Orlova is the only freshman woman currently returning.