Flushing, N.Y. - Ebba Rosberg made history for the St. Thomas Aquinas College Women's Tennis program on Monday, as she became the first-ever Spartan to capture the ITA Division II Women's East Regional Singles Championship at the four-day tournament held on the grounds of the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.
The Stockholm, Sweden native and top seed in the tournament received a first round bye and cruised to straight sets victories in the Rounds of 64, 32, 16 and Quarterfinals. In the Semifinals, Rosberg faced her first real stiff test, taking on #6 seeded Jessica Purdy of Wilmington University (Del.). A battle ensued between the sides, with Ebba ultimately prevailing 7-5, 7-5 to advance to the ITA Final.
In the title match, Rosberg faced off with #3 seed Alina Kupfer of Southern New Hampshire University and it was a fight to the finish. Ebba took the first set 7-6, before Kupfer tied things up 6-3. In the third and deciding set, it would be Rosberg who would get the last laugh, taking a 10-8 decision and the ITA East Region Singles crown.
The tournament also featured a pair of Spartans advancing to the ITA East Region Women's Doubles final, as top-seeded Ebba Rosberg and Samanta Villegas Robles took a Round of 64 bye and a Round of 32 Disqualification into a Round of 16 victory over Wilmington's Gloria Barcaro and Kushi Khandoji Santosh to set up a all-Spartans showdown. In the Quarterfinals, Rosberg and Villegas Robles beat fellow teammates Elita Silins and Jemima Parkinson, 8-3 to advance to the final four. Semifinal action saw the the maroon and gold duo take down New Haven's Valentinna Ferrarini and Karim Carreras, 6-4 to advance to the final.
In the championship draw, it would be Adelphi's doubles team of Katarina Liedbeck and Roisin Boyd who would upend the Spartans hopes for yet another tournament title, taking the match 7-5, 6-2.
COMPLETE ITA EAST REGIONAL RESULTS
THE ROCKHILL REPORT
The ITA tournament is a battle with many challenges", said Head Coach Dan Rockhill. "Winning two of the draws and advancing to the finals in a third is a huge accomplishment for our program."
"We are very proud of Ebba as she defeated some great players under difficult circumstances", said Rockhill. "She continues to be the jewel of the region and is excited to have an opportunity to compete with the best players in the division at the ITA Cup next month."
"Henry and Seth have achieved something very special", stated Rockhill. "Having arrived on campus as freshmen, just a few weeks ago, and playing at this elite level, is incredible. They are great young men and extremely coachable."
"Elita also had a great tournament", remarked Rockhill. "She defeated the tournament's 2nd, 27th and 13th seeded players on her way to the semifinals in singles and was a quarterfinalist with Jem in the doubles. Elita continues to develop and her all-court game is difficult to counter."
"It was a terrific weekend for STAC tennis", said Rockill. "There was good tennis on the courts and the teams were able to begin building their chemistry. We need a day off for sure, but I look forward to the upcoming fall season as the ECC is very strong this year."
UP NEXT
STAC (1-0, 0-0 ECC) opens its East Coast Conference schedule, hosting Queens College on Saturday, September 23. The Spartans and Knights are set to square off at Noon on the Riley Family Tennis Courts.