COLUMBIA, S.C. ? Georgia Southern senior Kelli Helms was victorious in the C-3 singles flight at the Southern Intercollegiate Championships Sunday afternoon in Columbia, S.C.
The Cairo, Ga. native reeled off two straight wins to claim the championship. It wasn't easy for Helms, as it took a tremendous effort to defeat Joana Tudor of Erskine College 5-7, 6-4, (10-3). She then downed East Carolina's Zandy Overcash in three sets 5-7, 6-4, 6-2 earning the championship.
“This was a great tournament to end our fall season,” said coach Amy Bonner. “I am really proud of the way Kelli competed. Her leadership should really help us as we head into our season this spring.”
In the C-2 singles division, sophomore Christine Caforio (Acworth, Ga.) advanced to the championship match by defeating Ali Gores of Davidson College 6-2, 6-4. Caforio then faced Gores' teammate Samantha Galainena where she fell in straight sets 6-3, 6-2.
Freshman Ali Beavers (Kingsport, Tenn.) advanced to the second round of the B-3 singles flight by defeating Brooke Walter of East Carolina in three sets 4-6, 7-5, 6-2, before falling to College of Charleston's Keely Mulligan 6-4, 6-2.
The doubles tandem of junior Shea Huxtable (Winter Springs, Fla.) and sophomore Jessica Fuller (Cartersville, Ga.) cruised all the way to the championship match of the C-2 doubles flight. The duo advanced to the semifinal round with a victory on Friday over Katie Holmes and Hannah Howerton of Erskine College 8-6. They defeated Wofford's Betsy Hauer and Mary Elston Heaner in the semifinals 8-0 before falling in the finals 8-3 to Luiza Borges and Hannah Priest.
The Southern Collegiate Championships concludes fall play. The Eagles return to the court Saturday, January 26, 2008 in Statesboro where they will host Jacksonville University. The match will be GSU's season opener. Match play is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m.
