[su_spacer size=”20″] University of Georgia junior Caroline Brinson continued an impressive run at the USTA/ITA Southeast Regional Championship here Sunday, winning two matches to advance to the final.

 

Brinson, ranked No. 72 nationally, will play sixth-ranked Stephanie Wagner (Miami, Fla.) in Monday’s final at 11 a.m.

 

In her first match Sunday, Brinson eliminated sophomore teammate Kennedy Shaffer, ranked No. 37, rallying back for a 3-6,6-2,6-4 victory. Then in the semifinals, she ousted No. 38 Kourtney Keegan (Florida) 7-6(6),6-3. Brinson improved to 13-1 on the year.

 

“Kennedy played an amazing first set, and I had to just hang in there and keep doing what’s been working for me in this tournament,” Brinson said. “Any time you play a teammate, it’s going to be a tough match. I was returning well today and stayed confident. Eventually, I got things turned around. I was comfortable today in both of my matches because of how I got to this point in the tournament. In my second match, Kourtney is a really good player too, and she came back a couple times in that first set. It was a relief to win that first one after the tiebreaker, and I stayed strong in the second.”
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[su_spacer size=”40″] Against Keegan, Brinson built a 4-2 lead and then saw the Gator storm back to serve for the set at 6-5. However, Brinson picked up a break to even the match and then raced out to a 6-2 lead in the tiebreaker. Keegan fought off four match points to get the tiebreaker back to 6-all, and Brinson responded by taking the next two points for the set. In the second set, Brinson notched an early break for a 2-1 edge and then another break to win the match in the ninth game.

 

“Caroline is playing at high level right now; she’s worked really hard to get to this point, and we’re happy to see the results,” Georgia coach Jeff Wallace said. “Good things happen when you put in the type of effort that Carolina has done. She has another chance now against Wagner who she lost to in the round of 32 at this event last year in Atlanta.”

 

In the other singles semifinal, Wagner breezed to a 6-2,6-4 victory over No. 32 Belinda Woolcock (Florida). In doubles, the Gators had all four remaining teams in the draw and opted to return to Gainesville to determine the champion. In consolation singles, Maryna Veksler (Florida International) and Megan Kurey (Ga. Tech) advanced to Monday’s final. They are scheduled to play at 9 a.m. If rain is an issue Monday, both singles finals will be played indoors.

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USTA/ITA Southeast Regional Championships (Oct. 25, 2015)

Dan Magill Tennis Complex, Athens, Ga.

 

Main Draw Singles Quarterfinals

#32 Belinda Woolcock (UF) def. #2 Brooke Austin (UF) 6-2,2-6,6-0

#6 Stephanie Wagner (UM) def. Anna Danilina (UF) 4-6,7-5,6-2

#38 Kourtney Keegan (UF) def. #94 Yolimar Ogando (UM) 6-3,4-5 ret./injury

#72 Caroline Brinson (UGA) def. #37 Kennedy Shaffer (UGA) 3-6,6-2,6-4

 

Main Draw Singles Semifinals

#6 Stephanie Wagner (UM) def. #32 Belinda Woolcock (UF) 6-2,6-4

#72 Caroline Brinson (UGA) def. #38 Kourtney Keegan (UF) 7-6(6),6-3

 

Doubles Semifinals/Finals to be played in Gainesville, UF campus

#1 Austin/Keegan (UF) vs. Danilina/Morgan (UF)

#54 Kuhlman/Woolcock (UF) vs. #55 Liang/Porter (UF)

 

Consolation Singles Quarterfinals

Kristin Rehse (Ga. St.) def. Silvia Fuentes (UM) 6-3,6-3

Maryna Veksler (FIU) def. Michelle Valdez (UNF) 6-1,6-2

Elizabeth Means (FGCU) def. Quetzali Vazquez (UNF) 0-6,6-2,1-0(7)

Megan Kurey (GT) def. Nina Nagode (FIU) 6-3,7-6(3)

 

Consolation Singles Semifinals

Maryna Veksler (FIU) def. Kristin Rehse (Ga. St.) 6-2, 6-4

Megan Kurey (GT) def. Elizabeth Means (FGCU) 6-4, 6-1

 

*In lieu of a 3rd set, a 10-point tiebreaker was played

#ITA National Ranking
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