May 14, 2017
ABILENE, Texas - Coming down to a single match for the American Southwest Conference women's tennis championship, East Texas Baptist University clinched their first ever championship with a 5-3 win over top seeded University of Texas at Tyler. ETBU now receives the automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament which will be a first for the program. ETBU has only had women's tennis for six years and head coach Jeff Bramlett is in his fourth year.
Mullika Seekieo became the fifth point for ETBU to seal the upset win as she won the no. 5 singles match, 6-0, 7-5. It was the second day in a row that her match was the difference in the win as she also was the fifth point in the win over Hardin-Simmons University.
Tiffany Stankiewicz was named the tournament MVP and Kate Bramlett, Elisa Kendall, Kaleigh Smith, and Mullika Seekhieo were on the All-Tournament team. Stankiewicz went 5-0 in the tournament at #3 singles and #2 doubles.
ETBU jumped out to a 2-1 lead in doubles play to start the match. Kate Bramlett and Kaleigh Smith defeated Alexis Arrieta and Tori Musngi in #1 doubles 8-1. Then, in #2 doubles, Tiffany Stankiewicz and Elisa Kendall defeated Lauren Kuhn and Nancy Perez, 8-3. UTT won the #3 doubles, with Savannah Seely and Alexandra McKissick defeating Kellie Cawthon and Mullika Seekhieo.
At no. 4 singles, Kaleigh Smith picked up the third win for ETBU 6-1, 6-1 over Perez. Stankiewicz followed for the fourth team point winning 6-1, 6-0 over Kuhn at no. 3 singles. Arrieta defeated Bramlett 6-2, 6-4 in #1 singles to give UTT their second win. At #6 singles, Seely defeated Cawthon 6-2, 6-2 to cut the ETBU lead to 4-3. Seekhieo then gave ETBU the championship with her win at #5 singles.
ETBU will now wait to see where they will be placed in the NCAA Tournament.