STATESBORO, Ga. – Four Gamecocks tallied singles triumphs over the weekend at the Georgia Southern Fall Shootout. Despite tough competition at a weather-impacted event, Dariana Prato, Polina Ramenskaja, Ella Tuomela, and Martina Zarza picked up individual victories in Statesboro, Ga., as the program's Fall season progresses.
 
"We continue to learn and improve every time we step onto the court," head coach Michael Helms said. "This group is buying into the process and you see that starting to surface in one way or another from all of them. Ella played some of the best tennis I've seen her play to date, and I saw some things out of Polina, Dari, and Irene Artigas on the doubles court that excites you as a coach."
 
Action at Georgia Southern's Wallis Tennis Center began on Friday, a day that saw three Jax State competitors score one-on-one wins. Prato downed South Carolina State's Hind Semlali in three sets, 1-6, 7-6 (4), 14-12, to open the day's matches, then Ramenskaja beat Charlotte Calderwood of Davidson 6-2, 6-1. Friday was cut short due to inclement weather, but just before matches were called Zarza posted a 6-4, 6-1, triumph over SCSU's Feriel Mahbouli. On Saturday, Tuomela won 4-6, 6-1, 10-6 versus Mercer's Tea Zivic before falling later in the day.
 
Each of the Gamecocks had suffered a singles setback by the end of the day on Saturday, and due to weather all of Sunday's consolation matches were canceled. Jacksonville State returned to campus on Sunday, getting in an afternoon practice to close out a productive weekend.
 
"Despite the rain delays it was a very good event," Helms said. "Sean McAffrey and his staff at Georgia Southern did a great job with the unfortunate weather conditions and some good tennis was played by all."
 
Jax State women's tennis resumes their Fall slate next weekend at the Golden Eagle Fall Invitational in Hattiesburg, Miss. That invite at Southern Miss will be held Oct. 27-28. Their final showing will take place Nov. 10-12 at the Wofford Invite.
 
"We need to be unconditionally competitive," Helms said. "And not just every other day when the stars line up- we need to compete to our standard daily no matter the circumstances."
 
To stay up-to-date with the Gamecocks, follow their Facebook (Jax State Women's Tennis), Instagram (@JaxStateWTEN), and X (@JaxStateWTEN) accounts.