Tere-Apisah advances to third round in
NCAA tennis tournament



By Doug Roberson

Story posted 2012.05.24 at 12:17 PM EDT




An improved first serve propelled Georgia State's
Abigail Tere-Apisah to the third round of the NCAA
tennis tournament today with a 6-3, 6-4 win over
Tennessee's Kata Szekely.
The victory guaranteed her All-America status,
making her the first men's or women's player in
GSU's history to earn that distinction.
She will face top-seeded Allie Will of Florida in
Friday's third round in Athens at the Dan Magill
Tennis Complex.
She credits the 45 minutes-1 hour she's spent on
her serve each day since the regular season
ended for the victory.
"The last two matches, it is giving me an
advantage to get points easily," Tere-Apisah said.
"During the season it wasn't really a weapon."
Tere-Apisah, who also uses a powerful baseline
forehand, said she tried to push Szekely deep to
her backhand side throughout the match.
"She was having difficulty getting them back,"
Tere-Apisah said.
GSU coach Miha Lisac said Tere-Apisah's focus is
the reason for the improved serve.
"One thing is the time that you dedicate, but I
give credit to Abby to being on the court and
serving and dedicated to improving her serve,"
he said.
Tere-Apisah's next match will be tough, no matter
the opponent.
Lisac said Will doesn't give away points, which
means Tere-Apisah must fight throughout.
"Abby will have to be close to her best to win that
match," he said.




– Doug Roberson, AJC. Please follow me on twitter
@ajcgsu
Story posted 2012.05.24 at 12:17 PM EDT