Freshman Maria Garcia (San Carlos, Venezuela) earned MVP honors at the 2015 South Atlantic Conference women's tennis tournament, leading the 49th-ranked Bulldogs to their fourth SAC Tournament title in five years. Garcia went 2-0 at number six singles and 2-0 at number two doubles over the weekend.
Garcia started her week on Friday, teaming with classmate Oroma Womeodu (Memphis, Tenn.) for an 8-1 win at number two doubles against Anderson in the tournament semifinals. She added a 6-2, 6-0 win at number six singles as the Bulldogs rolled to a 5-0 victory.
In the championship match Saturday, Garcia and Womeodu prevailed 8-6 at number two doubles. Garcia would go on to win 6-0, 3-6, 6-4 at six singles, putting the Bulldogs on top 4-3. Less than a minute later, junior Caroline Holland (Spartanburg, S.C.) won the clincher to give the Bulldogs the SAC title.
Garcia earned second team All-SAC doubles accolades during her freshman season. She has posted a 16-3 record in singles play, going 11-1 against conference opponents. Garcia enters the NCAA Tournament on a nine-match winning streak. Garcia and Womeodu are 15-5 in doubles play, going 11-2 against the SAC.
