Hecking Takes Crown at ITA Fall Circuit Event

Saturday, September 26

Huntsville, Ala.

10 A.M.

UAB

ITA Fall Circuit

Hecking Takes Crown at ITA Fall Circuit Event

9/28/2020 10:57:00 PM | Women's Tennis

Box Score

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – The UAB women's tennis team opened the Fall 2020 season with a successful showing at the ITA Fall Circuit. In the 28 player field, Jana Hecking was crowned champion after winning four matches without dropping a set.

The Blazers brought six players to the event which was held at the Athletic Club Alabama in Huntsville.

"It was great to finally get out there and compete again. For some of us, it was the first time competing since March or even longer," said head coach Mark Tjia.

In the opening round, Hecking, Adela Wasserbauerova and Megan Bertrands received byes into the Round of 16 while Dominika Hrabalova and Sydney Clarke were straight set winners. Annalisa Smith dropped a hard fought match in a breaker.

Hecking, Bertrands, Clarke and Wasserbauerova were straight set winners in the Round of 16 and Hrabalova won in a breaker as the five Blazers advanced.

As the bracket dictated, Hecking matched up with Hrabalova and Clarke with Wasserbauerova while Bertrands faced Alana Boyce in the quarterfinals.

Three of the four semifinals spots were secured by UAB in Hecking, Bertrands and Clarke. Hecking defeated Bertrands while Clarke fell to Kennedy Gibbs.

In the final round, Hecking was a 7-5, 6-3 winner over Gibbs.

Additionally, Smith was victorious in three matches to win the backdraw.

"A couple of our freshmen had their first look at college competition and they did well. Jana had a good couple of days and deserved to walk away as the champion," said Tjia.