WT: Mavs set to begin ITA Regionals on Thursday
10/21/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
ITA Texas Regionals Homepage
Michael Eldridge | @DFWSportsMike
ARLINGTON, Texas -- UT Arlington heads to the ITA Texas Regionals in College Station with momentum built up from capturing several titles during tournament play this fall.
The Mavericks women's tennis team opens up the regional tournament on Thursday at the Mitchell Tennis Center, home of the Texas A&M Aggies tennis teams. UTA is coming off a weekend in which it captured three titles (two doubles, one singles) to add to its success during the season.
"This is the biggest tournament of the fall and they know it," UT Arlington coach Diego Benitez said. "They are excited for it and have been really preparing for it. The tournaments we have played so far in the fall have helped us get in the right shape that we want to be in. We are trying to keep the momentum that we have. We have captured a few titles this semester so we are trying to just make an impact in the regional championship this season."
At the SMU Invitational, UTA picked up doubles titles from Elizabeth Thoms and Astrid Gehre, Angeles de los Rios and Agustina Serio, as well as a singles title from Serio. Thoms is hoping that the success from their play in Dallas can be something that they continue after the two-week break.
"Everyone is playing hard," Thoms said. "We have had great competition and that is where it has come from, playing good opponents makes us better. The coaches have not been letting up on us and that is what gets us ready."
Jessica Birowski also made a run at SMU, advancing to the final of the Pony Draw before losing to Ana Perez Lopes from SMU. The Mavericks reached five finals overall in the draw.
"I like the passion that they are showing on what we call the offseason," Benitez said. "They are not treating it as an offseason, they are really going at it. They know that this is the pinnacle time of the year to be prepared to finish the job next year."
For updates throughout the weekend, follow UTA Athletics on Twitter at @UTAMavs.
