January 24, 2018

C-N represented on singles, doubles Preseason All-Conference second team lists

ROCK HILL, S.C. – The Carson-Newman doubles duo of Alisa Liashova (Ukraine) and Klara Vuckovic (Germany) has been dubbed a second team All-South Atlantic Conference doubles pair while Ali Harris was tabbed a member of the second team singles list, as announced by the league on Wednesday.

ROCK HILL, S.C. – The Carson-Newman doubles duo of Alisa Liashova (Ukraine) and Klara Vuckovic (Germany) has been dubbed a second team All-South Atlantic Conference doubles pair while Ali Harris was tabbed a member of the second team singles list, as announced by the league on Wednesday.

All three of the Eagles selected were honorable mentions for their respected sides at the conclusion of 2017. This is the second straight year that Carson-Newman has had multiple players named to the teams.

The accolade marks the first time since 2013 that a pair of Eagles were selected to a preseason All-Conference doubles team, the last being the tandem of Stefy Stand and Patricia Guerrerio who also landed on the second team.

Please give it up for the trio of Eagles representing #CNWT in the @SAC_Athletics preseason All-Conference teams.
➡️ Ali Harris: Second Team Singles
➡️ Alisa Liashova and Klara Vuckovic: Second Team Doubles pic.twitter.com/G0HfeOUWtk
— C-N Athletics (@CNathletics) January 24, 2018

Liashova and Vuckovic were honorable mentions on the 2016-17 postseason list after their freshman season saw them finishing 13-3 overall with a 9-2 showing in conference play. The then No. 2 doubles pairing held a six-match winning streak through the middle of the season, five of those being conference victories.

"We got put together and we were just like, 'Ok, we're going to play our game, try to stick together as a team, push each other to our very best and try to play the ball in the court and make the points,' Vuckovic said.

VIDEO: Klara Vuckovic Interview

The tandem was 9-1 through its final 10 matches, picking up a three-match winning streak to close the season including the lone doubles victory for the Eagles at the Conference Quarterfinals, an 8-5 advantage over Anderson's Jacqueline Olivia and Delaney Wiggins.

"I hope they'll just continue improving and getting better because they were obviously a new combination last year," Love said of the young duo. "Klara had some doubles' experience, Alisa not so much, but she's a quick learner."

Harris returns to Mossy Creek for her junior campaign after closing out 2017 with a 6-12 record at the top singles position. She holds an 18-19 singles career record in the Blue and Orange. She enters this season with the fifth most wins this decade for C-N.

This marks the second-consecutive year that Harris was named to the preseason singles second-team.

VIDEO: Ali Harris Interview

"I think last season was a tough season for me," Harris said. "My record wasn't as good as I would have liked it to have been, but it means a lot that the conference still has faith in me for the second team All-Conference.

"I think this year, I'm ready to put in that work and show them that I did deserve that, so it's an honor."

The Eagles begin their season February 3 as they host Delta State. Matches are slated to begin at 1 p.m. at the Buddy Catlett Tennis Complex.

First Team Doubles

1. Franziska Funke/Katarina Majorova, Tusculum

2. Maria Garcia/Oroma Womeodu, Wingate

3. Johanna Delisse/Julia Loos, Lincoln Memorial

Second Team Doubles

1. Alisa Liashova/Klara Vuckovic, Carson-Newman

2. Laura Dean/Jacqueline Olivia, Anderson

3. Brittani Brooks/Amber Lackey, Tusculum

First Team Singles

1. Carlotta Nassi, Queens