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ATLANTA -- The Stillman men's and women's tennis teams entered the three-day tournament off the heels of finishing the regular season as the number one seeds. After three days of matches, the Lady Tigers and Tigers accomplished their second goal of the season: the title of champions.
Both the Stillman men and women won their matches on Saturday to claim the conference titles.
For Stillman head coach Will E. Riley, he captured his first league title - and the first for the program - in his 20th season as head coach of the Tigers and Lady Tigers.
"I am proud to bring this year's titles to Stillman College. It has been a long time coming, and the years of continued play have finally paid off," said Riley.
In the men's match, Stillman blanked Morehouse 5-0. In doubles action, all three Stillman duos won their respective matches 8-2. In singles matches, SIAC Player of the Year Jangeun Lee won his match 6-0, 6-0 while Luis Mendoza won his match 6-4, 6-2.
In the women's match, Stillman downed a tough Benedict squad 5-3. In doubles action, Litia Godinet and Veronika Kalugina won 8-3 while Nair Tolomeo and Angela Corredor won 8-5. Benedict took the third doubles match 8-2.
Trailing 2-1 after the doubles portion, Benedict and Stillman traded matches giving the Tigers from Tuscaloosa a 3-2 lead. Benedict would tie the match at 3-3 before Stillman got key match wins to earn the victory and the championship. Angela Corredor won her number 4 singles match 6-4, 7-6 while Nair Tolomeo won her number two singles match 6-3, 3-6, 6-0. SIAC Women's Player of the Year Litia Godinet won the number one singles match 6-3, 6-0.
"I am extremely proud of this team, battling through adversity, some injuries and just the pressure of the season," said Riley.
"It is tough when you are the number one seed entering the tournament and with the expectations that the players individually and the team as a whole put on themselves, I am truly proud of their performance.