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SAN MARCOS, Texas – The ULM tennis team showcased their skills in the highly competitive fall season, going head-to-head against fierce rivals including Incarnate Word, St. Mary’s, Troy, and Texas State during the Bobcat Invitational. This thrilling tournament, which kicked off on Saturday, wrapped up its exciting matches on Sunday.
Five of the seven dedicated members of the ULM tennis squad actively participated in singles play, engaging in three grueling rounds throughout the weekend. Vanja Cado emerged as a standout performer, leading the team with impressive victories over Incarnate Word’s Jordan Isaak and Selina Wu from St. Mary’s, securing her place as a key player. Lucia Fernandez Jorrin and Mariia Iordanova also made their mark, each clinching wins in singles play against Paula Garrote of St. Mary’s and Hagar Amin Ramadan from Troy, respectively.
In the doubles matches, the formidable pairing of Camila Molina Barranco and Lucia Fernandez Jorrin achieved a notable victory against the duo of Selina Wu and Karen Kondo from St. Mary’s. Unfortunately, the other tandem of Mariia Iordanova and Vanja Cado struggled and ultimately fell to their challenging opponents.
ULM tennis will set its sights on Lafayette, La. as they prepare to compete in the Ragin’ Cajuns Invitational, which is being hosted by Sun Belt rival UL-Lafayette on Nov. 1.
Saturday Results:
Kiana Graham (TXST) def. Vanja Cado (ULM) 6-0, 6-0
Callie Creath (TXST) def. Mariia Iordanova (ULM) 6-1, 6-1
Maria Guirguis (TROY) def. Camila Molina Barranco (ULM) 6-3, 6-2
Lucia Fernandez Jorrin (ULM) def. Paula Garrote (STMU) 6-4, 6-3
Emilia Namyslo (TROY) def. Tingyi Li (ULM) 6-3, 6-3
Sofia Fortuno (TXST) def. Lucia Fernandez Jorrin (ULM) 5-7, 6-3, 10-5
Emily Niers (TXST) def. Tingyi Li (ULM) 7-5, 6-3
Vanja Cado (ULM) def. Jordan Isaak (UIW) 6-1, 1-0 ret.
Karen Kondo (STMU) def. Camila Molina Barranco (ULM) 6-3, 6-7 (5), 10-5
Mariia Iordanova (ULM) def. Hagar Amin Ramadan (TROY) 6-1, 6-1
Kiana Graham/Tadiwa Mauchi (TXST) def. Mariia Iordanova/Vanja Cado (ULM) 6-0
Maria Guirguis/Valeriia Avdeeva (TXST) def. Camila Molina Barranco/Lucia Fernandez Jorrin (ULM) 6-1
Sunday Results:
Callie Creath (TXST) def. Camila Molina Barranco (ULM) 6-2, 2-4
Vanja Cado (ULM) def. Selina Wu (STMU) 6-2, 6-4
Alessia Terlizzi (STMU) def. Lucia Fernandez Jorrin (ULM) 5-7, 6-4, 10-8
Sofia Fortuno/Ireland Simme (TXST) def. Camila Molina Barranco/Lucia Fernandez Jorrin (ULM) 6-1
Alessia Terlizzi/Paula Garrote (STMU) def. Mariia Iordanova/Vanja Cado (ULM) 6-4
Camila Molina Barranco/Lucia Fernandez Jorrin (ULM) def. Selina Wu/Karen Kondo (STMU) 6-4
Jordan Isaak/Similia Matovic (STMU) def. Mariia Iordanova/Vanja Cado (ULM) 6-3
**Interview with ULM Tennis Team Head Coach, Emily Parker**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us, Coach Parker. The ULM tennis team had an impressive showing at the Bobcat Invitational this past weekend. How would you evaluate the overall performance of your team?
**Coach Parker:** Thank you for having me! I’m incredibly proud of our team’s effort during the tournament. Competing against strong teams like Incarnate Word, St. Mary’s, Troy, and Texas State is no small feat, and our players really rose to the occasion. It was exciting to see them push their limits and show such resilience.
**Editor:** Vanja Cado had a remarkable weekend, winning all her matches. What does her performance mean for the team moving forward?
**Coach Parker:** Vanja’s performance was outstanding, and she truly stepped up in critical moments. Her victories not only showcase her skills but also serve as a huge morale boost for the entire team. When one player shines, it often inspires others to elevate their game as well. She’s definitely a key player for us this season.
**Editor:** Two other players, Lucia Fernandez Jorrin and Mariia Iordanova, also had significant wins. How important is depth in the roster as you look ahead to the rest of the season?
**Coach Parker:** Depth is crucial in any sport, and our squad is no different. Having multiple players who can secure wins in singles and doubles significantly strengthens our position. Lucia and Mariia’s victories show that we are not relying solely on one or two players; everyone contributed positively to our results.
**Editor:** In doubles, Camila Molina Barranco and Lucia Fernandez Jorrin secured a notable win. How do you feel about your team’s doubles strategy?
**Coach Parker:** Our doubles strategy has been a focal point of our training, and I’m thrilled to see Camila and Lucia execute it so well. Their synergy on the court is fantastic, and it’s those types of partnerships that can make a difference in matches. We’re constantly working on improving our doubles play, and this tournament’s results are a testament to the effort.
**Editor:** Lastly, what’s next for the ULM tennis team after this tournament?
**Coach Parker:** We’ll be taking the lessons learned from the Bobcat Invitational and using them to further our training. We have a busy schedule ahead, with several more tournaments and matches coming up. Our goal is to build on this momentum and continue improving as a team. I’m excited for what’s to come!
**Editor:** Thank you for your insights, Coach Parker. Good luck to the team as the season progresses!
**Coach Parker:** Thank you! We appreciate your support!
Is vital as we face tougher competition in the coming weeks. Lucia and Mariia showed that they can compete at a high level, which gives us confidence as we head into the Ragin’ Cajuns Invitational. A deep roster allows us to be more flexible with our strategies and matchups, ultimately strengthening our chances of success.
**Editor:** Speaking of the Ragin’ Cajuns Invitational coming up, what are your expectations for the team in that tournament?
**Coach Parker:** Our expectation is to build on the momentum we created at the Bobcat Invitational. We’ll be focusing on refining our strategies and techniques during practice leading up to the event. I’m excited to see how our players perform against yet another strong field. Each match is an opportunity to learn and grow, and we want to capitalize on that.
**Editor:** Thank you, Coach Parker, for your insights. We look forward to seeing how the ULM tennis team performs in the upcoming invitational!
**Coach Parker:** Thank you! I appreciate your support, and we’re excited for what’s ahead!
