TIFTON —
The Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College Fillies traveled to Tyler, Texas yesterday in preparation for the NJCAA National Womens’ Tennis Tournament, which will begin Sunday.
The Fillies will learn who they matchup against on Saturday when the draws for the tournament are determined.
ABAC held their final practice at home on Wednesday in preparation for their long week ahead.
"Practice has been a bit of fight this week," said head coach Alan Kramer. "With the stress of finals going on we have been working on maintaining and nursing a couple of injuries to be ready for the tournament. We aren't doing anything different, just staying in our routine so they will be comfortable when it comes time to play."
The Fillies are coming off a successful season, where they won the Region XVII title over Georgia Perimeter College. The team will be looking to meet, or surpass, their performance in last year's national tournament.
"Last year we came in wanting to finish in the top 10, but we ended up getting in the top five," said Kramer. "Our expectations this year are the same. Shoot for the top 10 and hope to finish higher. The main thing I want to them to take from this is that they can hang with anyone around the country. Most of these girls are from South Georgia, and that's one of the thins they can learn from going to nationals."
One of the girls from South Georgia is Irwin County graduate Nikki Hall.
"I feel very honored to get to represent South Georgia," said Hall. "I've never been on a plane before and Texas will be the furthest I have been from home. I've got some jitters, but the older girls are talking to me to keep me from being too nervous."
While some players are homegrown, others like Chanel Cunningham, are not.
"I'm very excited to go back," said the sophomore Cunningham, who is from Australia. "I love playing here and I hope we can do as well as we did last year."
Cunningham will be moving to Auburn University-Montgomery in the fall, to play for NAIA’s No. 1-ranked Warhawks.
"I'm going to miss playing for Kramer," she added.
Joining Hall and Cunningham at nationals will be Karen Ching, Jordan Carter, Colquitt County High’s Carli Hester, Julia Saunders and Turner County High’s Olivia Robbins.
Kramer is confident that this team has what it takes to repeat the results from last year.
"Half the team returns from last year," said Kramer. "They are completely different from last year though. Each year the chemistry of a team changes. This team might be the quietest I have ever had. But it's a quiet confidence. The key will be how prepared we are and that we are focused mentally."
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Related Photos
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The Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College Fillies pose with the Region XVII trophy. Along with the team are coaches Dale White, left, and Alan Kramer, right. Contributed Photo
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