Maria
Fernanda Vargas
Height: 5-8
Class: FR
Hometown:
Bogota, Columbia
Prep: A 2011 graduate of Colegio Virtual Siglo XXI in Bogotá, Colombia … was the
No. 1 ranked junior player in Colombia … won Colombia Nationals as a junior
…participated in the Junior Orange Bowl in Coral Gables, Fla. and the Prince
Cup in Miami, Fla. … coached by Patricio Apey.
Personal: Born on March 25, 1994 … majoring in international business.
2013 Women's
Tennis Roster
#
|
Name
|
Cl.
|
Pos.
|
Ht.
|
Hometown
|
SR
|
5-5
|
Mevasseret
Zion, Israel
|
|||
JR
|
5-6
|
Coffs
Harbour, Australia
|
|||
JR
|
5-3
|
Saltash,
England
|
|||
FR
|
5-9
|
Kharkiv,
Ukraine
|
|||
FR
|
5-8
|
Bogota,
Columbia
|
|||
SO
|
5-8
|
London,
England
|
|||
SR
|
5-7
|
Yutz,
France
|
AUM News
Women's
Tennis - Mon. Jan. 28, 2013
MONTGOMERY, Ala. ---- Expectations will always be high for the Auburn Montgomery women's
tennis team, and for good reason. The Warhawks have won eight of the last nine
NAIA national championships, including titles in 2011 and 2012.
Despite losing two of the team's top players from last season, Head Coach Rolando Vargas knows that this year's squad
will expect nothing less than another championship.
"Obviously our goals are always high," the 2012 NAIA Coach of the
Year said. "We know the responsibility we have as a team. People expect us
to play for titles, so they know that they are fighting for that."
When the Warhawks begin their season on Friday afternoon at Emmanuel, they
will be doing so without 2012 NAIA First-Team All-American Ana Veselinovic and Kveta Hajkova, who received Honorable
Mention from the NAIA.
Veselinovic compiled a 23-2 singles record, playing all but one match from
the No. 1 position, and a perfect 25-0 record at No. 1 doubles with Jade Curtis. Hajkova, meanwhile, was a
perfect 26-0 in singles from the third, fourth and fifth positions and 23-2 in
doubles. She returns as a student assistant coach this season.
"Ana and Kveta were tremendous players," Vargas said. "They
were very experienced, and it will be hard to replace them because of what they
were able to accomplish. I was happy to see that Tiffany William was able to step up this fall
and reach the finals of the Super Bowl. That showed me that she will be able to
step up and help us in the top of the lineup."
William, a sophomore from London, England, rotated between the third and
fourth singles spots in 2012, finishing 20-4 overall and earning first-team
NAIA All-American honors. This fall, she won the individual NAIA women's
singles title, and reached the finals of the Super Bowl at the USTA/ITA National
Small College Championships. Vargas expects her to slide into the No. 2 singles
position behind Curtis in 2013.
"She worked hard in the summer and came in with more confidence,"
he said of William. "I think that was the key. Her mental toughness grew
in a good way. She was able to have a good run and surprise a couple of players
in winning the regionals. And then she goes to nationals as the top seed and
she was able to live up to the expectations. I'm hoping that experience will
help her in the spring."
Curtis returns for her junior season after a perfect season last year,
culminating in first-team All-American recognition. She went 22-0 in singles,
including a 20-0 record from the No. 2 spot, and was also undefeated with
Veselinovic in doubles. During the fall, she and new partner Morgane Zowczak were regional champions in
doubles. As an upperclassmen, Vargas has high expectations for the Saltash,
England native.
"Jade has been tremendous for our program," Vargas said. "I
think she's ready to play at the top of the lineup, though it will certainly be
more demanding. I'm also looking forward to her becoming more of a leader now
that she is a junior."
Zowczak, in addition to playing with Curtis in doubles, is expected to slot
into the No. 3 singles position for her senior season. She went 15-3 as a
doubles player last season, along with a 13-2 singles mark, and was named a
second-team All-American. Vargas expects her to build on a successful
offseason.
"I'm really happy with Morgane's progress," he said. "In her
eyes, I can see how much she wants to improve. She's probably going to play at
the number three position, and I think she can handle that. With the experience
that she has, I think she's going to do real well."
Returning senior Hagar Caro will compete with newcomers Chanel Cunningham and Maria Fernanda Vargas for the remaining three
positions in the starting lineup. Caro earned all-conference honors after
playing at No. 5 and No. 6 singles, as well as No. 2 doubles with William.
Cunningham comes to AUM from Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, where
she was ranked 15th nationally at the junior college level. Vargas, a freshman,
was the No. 1 ranked junior player in her native country of Columbia.
"Usually teams that win national titles win because of their strength
at the bottom of the lineup," Vargas said. "Hagar was very
fundamental to our success last year, and I'm hoping that she will be ready to
contribute for us again. I'm excited about our new players as well. I'm hoping
they can bond together and do a lot of good things for us."
After their season debut on the road this week, the Warhawks will have home
matches on Feb. 8 against West Florida and the following day versus Martin
Methodist. Though a lot is expected of this year's squad, Vargas wants the
Warhawks to focus on the basics.
"I want them to be a team," he said. "And to always give 100
percent. If they do that, the results are going to pay off. I'm looking forward
to it. We've won eight of the last nine, and we've always been in the finals,
so we've had tremendous success. I'm hoping for it to continue.
AUM News
Morgane
Zowczak dropped just one game combined from No. 1 doubles and No. 3 singles.
Women's
Tennis - Fri. Feb. 01, 2013
Box Score
FRANKLIN SPRINGS, Ga. ---- The defending national champion Auburn
Montgomery women's tennis team had no problems with Emmanuel in its first match
of the season, defeating the Lady Lions 9-0 on Friday.
The Warhawks dropped a total of seven games in the nine matches. Jade Curtis (No. 1 singles), Hagar Caro (No. 5) and Maria Fernanda Vargas (No. 6) all defeated their
opponents 6-0, 6-0.
Tiffany William and Morgane Zowczak each dropped only one game
from the second and third singles positions. Chanel Cunningham won 6-2, 6-2 at No. 4
singles.
In doubles, the No. 1 and No. 3 teams of Curtis/Zowczak and Vargas/William
both shutout Emmanuel, 8-0. Caro and Cunningham won 8-1 at No. 2 doubles.
With the win, AUM is 1-0 overall and in Southern States Athletic Conference
play. The Lady Lions fall to 2-2 (0-1).
The Warhawks return to action next Friday in their home opener against West
Florida. The matches
begin at 1 p.m.
Singles
|
6. M.
Fernanda Vargas (AUM) def. Leanna Tucker (EC) 6-0, 6-0
|
Doubles
|
AUM News
Tennis -
Fri. Feb. 08, 2013
Box Score 1 Box Score 2
MONTGOMERY, Ala. ---- The Auburn
Montgomery tennis teams each dropped its respective match against perennial
NCAA Division II power West Florida Friday, with the men's team falling by a
score of 5-4 and the women dropping a 6-3 decision.
As a result of dropping the doubleheader, both teams now stand at 1-1 on
the year. The Argonauts, ranked second on the men's side and ninth on the
women's side, are now both 2-0.
In the men's match, the Warhawks fell behind 2-1 after the doubles portion of the match. AUM picked up its lone win at the No. 2 position, where Zinelabidine Jouini and Othmane Lalami earned an 8-4 victory.
The Warhawks also picked up three singles victories in the match, when Nicolas Pinones-Haltenhoff at the No. 1 and Lalami at the No. 5 each won in straight sets, while Josh Reason was victorious after his opponent retired.
AUM also trailed following doubles in the women's match by the 2-1 margin. Jade Curtis and Morgane Zowczak teamed for the lone doubles point thanks to an 8-4 win at the top position.
The Warhawks captured their final two points at the top singles and doubles positions, where Curtis won 6-1, 6-7, 6-4, while Tiffany William rolled 6-3, 6-0.
AUM will return to action on Saturday, when it hosts Martin Methodist in a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m.
In the men's match, the Warhawks fell behind 2-1 after the doubles portion of the match. AUM picked up its lone win at the No. 2 position, where Zinelabidine Jouini and Othmane Lalami earned an 8-4 victory.
The Warhawks also picked up three singles victories in the match, when Nicolas Pinones-Haltenhoff at the No. 1 and Lalami at the No. 5 each won in straight sets, while Josh Reason was victorious after his opponent retired.
AUM also trailed following doubles in the women's match by the 2-1 margin. Jade Curtis and Morgane Zowczak teamed for the lone doubles point thanks to an 8-4 win at the top position.
The Warhawks captured their final two points at the top singles and doubles positions, where Curtis won 6-1, 6-7, 6-4, while Tiffany William rolled 6-3, 6-0.
AUM will return to action on Saturday, when it hosts Martin Methodist in a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m.
AUM News
Miguel
Grifol and Tiffany William each had straight-set victories for AUM this
afternoon
Tennis -
Sat. Feb. 09, 2013
Box Score 1 Box Score 2
MONTGOMERY, Ala. ---- The Auburn Montgomery tennis teams showed no ill effects from their
setbacks against Division II West Florida yesterday, as each earned 9-0 sweeps
over Martin Methodist at the AUM Tennis Courts this afternoon.
Four of the top-ranked AUM women's nine victories over 21st-ranked Martin
Methodist were shutouts. Jade Curtis, Chanel Cunningham and Maria Fernanda Vargas each came away with 6-0, 6-0
wins in singles play, while Curtis and Morgane Zowczak defeated the Redhawk team of
Maria Charrys and Callie Thomas 8-0 in No. 1 doubles.
Curtis has now won 42 straight singles matches in team competitions, and 45
straight in doubles.
Tiffany William, Zowczak and Hagar Caro each added straight-set
singles victories for the Warhawks. The doubles tandems of William/Cunningham
and Caro/Vargas lost a combined two games in their matches. AUM has not lost to
an NAIA opponent since March 14, 2011.
The Warhawks improved to 2-1 with the victory, while Martin Methodist is
now 0-1.
The second-ranked men's team also had little trouble with the Redhawks, who
entered the match receiving votes in the NAIA top 25.
Tim Hewitt powered his way to a 6-0, 6-0
victory at No. 2 singles, while Nicolas Pinones-Haltenhoff won 6-1,
6-0 at No. 1 singles.
Zinelabidine Jouini, Miguel Grifol, Othmane Lalami and Josh Reason also won their singles
matches in straight sets. The three AUM doubles teams lost a combined five
games in their three eight-game pro sets.
AUM moves its record to 2-1 in 2013. The Redhawks fell to 0-1.
The men's team plays at Emory at 1 p.m. next Friday. The Eagles are
currently the No. 1 ranked team in NCAA Division III. The AUM women return to
action against Lee at 1 p.m. on February 19 at 1 p.m. at the AUM Tennis Courts.
AUM News
Hagar Caro
dropped just one game in a win at No. 5 singles for AUM.
Women's
Tennis - Tue. Feb. 19, 2013
Box Score
MONTGOMERY, Ala. ---- The No. 1 Auburn Montgomery women's tennis team cruised past
conference foe Lee University 9-0 Tuesday at the AUM Tennis Complex.
With the win, the Warhawks improved to 3-1 on the season and 2-0 in
Southern States Athletic Conference play, while the Lady Flames, ranked 15th in
the NAIA Coaches' Top 25, fell to 1-1 overall.
"The team knew how important it was to send a message to other teams in the conference," head coach Rolando Vargas said. "Lee is a very good team, so it is a great showing to win 9-0. I thought everyone stepped up and showed a lot of energy. Now we have to get ready for another tough match against William Carey."
AUM gained control of the match early on, as Jade Curtis and Morgane Zowczak at the No. 1 doubles and Chanel Cunningham and Tiffany William at the No. 2 doubles each won by 8-1 scores. Hagar Caro and Maria Fernanda Vargas completed the doubles sweep with an 8-5 win at the No. 3 position.
In singles play, the Warhawks won all six matches in straight sets, dropping just 17 games in the process. Curtis rolled at the top spot, 6-0, 6-2, while William captured a 6-3, 6-3 win against Tarah Garner. Zowczak cruised at the No. 3 spot, 6-2, 6-1, and Cunningham and Caro fell in just one game each en route to their victories. Vargas capped the shutout with a 6-3, 6-1 win at the No. 6 position.
The Warhawks will return to action on Friday, March 1, when thy travel to Hattiesburg, Miss., to take on No. 6 William Carey. The match is slated to begin at 2 p.m.
COMPLETE RESULTS
Doubles
"The team knew how important it was to send a message to other teams in the conference," head coach Rolando Vargas said. "Lee is a very good team, so it is a great showing to win 9-0. I thought everyone stepped up and showed a lot of energy. Now we have to get ready for another tough match against William Carey."
AUM gained control of the match early on, as Jade Curtis and Morgane Zowczak at the No. 1 doubles and Chanel Cunningham and Tiffany William at the No. 2 doubles each won by 8-1 scores. Hagar Caro and Maria Fernanda Vargas completed the doubles sweep with an 8-5 win at the No. 3 position.
In singles play, the Warhawks won all six matches in straight sets, dropping just 17 games in the process. Curtis rolled at the top spot, 6-0, 6-2, while William captured a 6-3, 6-3 win against Tarah Garner. Zowczak cruised at the No. 3 spot, 6-2, 6-1, and Cunningham and Caro fell in just one game each en route to their victories. Vargas capped the shutout with a 6-3, 6-1 win at the No. 6 position.
The Warhawks will return to action on Friday, March 1, when thy travel to Hattiesburg, Miss., to take on No. 6 William Carey. The match is slated to begin at 2 p.m.
COMPLETE RESULTS
Doubles
Singles
6. M.
Fernanda Vargas (AUMW) def. Katie North (LEE) 6-3, 6-1
 |
RANK
|
LAST TIME
|
SCHOOL (1ST PLACE VOTES)
|
RECORD
|
TOTAL POINTS
|
1
|
1
|
Auburn Montgomery (Ala.) (13)
|
2-1
|
343
|
2
|
3
|
Brenau
(Ga.)
|
3-0
|
332
|
3
|
9
|
SCAD
Savannah (Ga.)
|
2-1
|
315
|
4
|
4
|
Lindsey
Wilson (Ky.)
|
0-1
|
308
|
5
|
8
|
Westmont
(Calif.)
|
5-1
|
299
|
6
|
2
|
Embry-Riddle
(Fla.)
|
1-3
|
285
|
7
|
6
|
William
Carey (Miss.)
|
1-3
|
281
|
8
|
5
|
Concordia
(Calif.)
|
2-4
|
264
|
9
|
7
|
Lewis-Clark
State (Idaho)
|
2-1
|
262
|
10
|
10
|
Vanguard
(Calif.)
|
1-4
|
239
|
11
|
13
|
Xavier
(La.)
|
3-1
|
228
|
12
|
11
|
Indiana
Wesleyan
|
15-0
|
226
|
13
|
12
|
Campbellsville
(Ky.)
|
0-1
|
215
|
14
|
14
|
Olivet
Nazarene (Ill.)
|
2-0
|
195
|
15
|
15
|
Lee (Tenn.)
|
1-0
|
187
|
16
|
18
|
Oklahoma
Baptist
|
0-3
|
181
|
17
|
16
|
Robert
Morris (Ill.)
|
0-0
|
168
|
18
|
17
|
St. Thomas
(Fla.)
|
1-3
|
163
|
19
|
19
|
Marian
(Ind.)
|
11-2
|
146
|
20
|
22
|
Cumberland
(Tenn.)
|
0-1
|
130
|
21
|
24
|
Nebraska
Wesleyan
|
1-4
|
114
|
22
|
23
|
Belhaven
(Miss.)
|
2-0
|
107
|
23
|
21
|
Martin
Methodist (Tenn.)
|
0-1
|
97
|
24
|
20
|
Bethel
(Kan.)
|
0-2
|
79
|
25
|
25
|
Davenport
(Mich.)
|
4-3
|
71
|
Others receiving votes: Georgetown (Ky.) 63; Milligan (Tenn.) 62; Webber International (Fla.) 60; Evangel (Mo.) 23; Indiana Southeast 13; Graceland (Iowa) 11; Northwood (Fla.) 9; Arizona Christian 5; Cumberlands (Ky.) 3; Ashford (Iowa) 3.
AUM News
Women's
Tennis - Fri. Mar. 01, 2013
Box Score
HATTIESBURG, Miss. ----- The top-ranked Auburn Montgomery women's tennis team was upset by
No. 7 William Carey on Friday, falling to the Lady Crusaders 5-4.
With the loss, the Warhawks fell to 3-2 on the season, while WCU improved
to 3-3.
AUM fell behind 2-1 after the doubles portion of the match, with the tandem of Tiffany William and Chanel Cunningham earning an 8-5 victory at the No. 2 position.
In singles play, Jade Curtis rolled to a 6-0, 6-2 win over No. 19 Carola Orna in the top flight, while William won via retirement after winning the first set. Morgane Zowczak rallied from a first-set defeat to win at the No. 3 position, 3-6, 6-4, 6-1.
William Carey clinched the match at the No. 6 position, where Malin Collin defeated Maria Fernanda Vargas, 6-4, 7-6 (7-2).
AUM will return to action on Friday, March 8, when it participates in the AUM Spring Invitational at Lagoon Park. The Warhawks opponent and match time have yet to be determined.
COMPLETE RESULTS
Doubles
AUM fell behind 2-1 after the doubles portion of the match, with the tandem of Tiffany William and Chanel Cunningham earning an 8-5 victory at the No. 2 position.
In singles play, Jade Curtis rolled to a 6-0, 6-2 win over No. 19 Carola Orna in the top flight, while William won via retirement after winning the first set. Morgane Zowczak rallied from a first-set defeat to win at the No. 3 position, 3-6, 6-4, 6-1.
William Carey clinched the match at the No. 6 position, where Malin Collin defeated Maria Fernanda Vargas, 6-4, 7-6 (7-2).
AUM will return to action on Friday, March 8, when it participates in the AUM Spring Invitational at Lagoon Park. The Warhawks opponent and match time have yet to be determined.
COMPLETE RESULTS
Doubles
Singles
6. Malin
Collin (WCU) def. M. Fernanda Vargas (AUMW) 6-4, 7-6 (7-2)
|
AUM News
Morgane
Zowczak and Jade Curtis were the only pair to win in doubles, and both also won
their singles matches.
Women's
Tennis - Mon. Mar. 04, 2013
Box Score
MONTGOMERY, Ala. ---- The top-ranked Auburn Montgomery women's tennis team recovered from
last week's setback to William Carey with a 6-3 victory over NCAA Division I
Tennessee-Martin at the AUM Tennis Courts.
The Warhawks (4-2) dropped two of the three doubles matches to start the
afternoon, but came back to win five of the six singles matchups.
"I thought that we came out with a lot of determination, and I
definitely saw an improvement from the girls today," head coach Rolando Vargas said. "They were more
focused as a group, and we have to keep this intensity for the upcoming
matches."
AUM's top-ranked doubles team of Jade Curtis and Morgane Zowczak were the only pair to defeat
the Skyhawks, coming away with a tight 8-6 win. Tennessee-Martin handed AUM
tight 8-5 and 9-7 losses at the No. 2 and No. 3 doubles positions,
respectively.
Curtis, Tiffany William, Chanel Cunningham and Hagar Caro all cruised to straight-set
singles victories to clinch the match for the Warhawks. Zowczak added a 1-6,
6-1, 6-4 come-from-behind win at No. 3 singles for AUM, while Jessica Silva
picked up the only singles point for the Skyhawks at No. 5 singles with a win
over Maria Fernanda Vargas.
"Tiffany and Jade have been taking care of business all year in
singles," Vargas said. "I was also happy to see Hagar and Chanel come
through with victories, and to see Morgane battle back from a slow start. Maria
also played well; she just needs to keep getting more experience. I was pleased
with the way we competed."
Curtis and William each improved to 6-0 in singles this year with their
wins, while Zowczak won her fourth-straight to move her record to 5-1. Today's
meeting was AUM's only matchup against a Division I opponent this season.
The Warhawks return to action on Friday with the start of the AUM Spring
Invitational. The tournament, which takes place from March 8-10, will be held
at Lagoon Park in Montgomery.
Singles
|
5. Jessica
Silva (UTM) def. M. Fernanda Vargas (AUMW) 6-3, 6-2
|
Doubles
|
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3. Anna Winkelmann/Jessica Silva (UTM) def. Hagar Caro/Tiffany William (AUMW) 9-7
AUM News
Women's
Tennis - Fri. Mar. 08, 2013
Box Score
MONTGOMERY, Ala. ---- Despite having only five active players, the Auburn Montgomery
women's tennis team easily handled Belhaven by a 7-2 score in the opening day
of the annual AUM Spring Invitational.
AUM was forced to forfeit the No. 6 singles and No. 3 doubles matches, but
had straight-set victories at the five contested singles positions. The
Warhawks improved to 5-2 with the victory, while Belhaven fell to 4-2.
Jade Curtis cruised to a 6-0, 6-0 win at
No. 1 singles, shutting out an opponent for the third time in seven matches
this season. Tiffany William was also strong, dropping
just one game at the No. 2 position. Curtis and William, playing doubles
together for the first time, defeated Ashley McLendon and Katherine Campbell
8-0.
Chanel Cunningham, Maria Fernanda Vargas and Hagar Caro also registered singles wins,
with Caro losing just three games. Cunningham and Caro edged out an 8-6 win at
No. 2 doubles.
The Warhawks continue play in the tournament with a 9 a.m. matchup against
No. 13 Campbellsville tomorrow morning. The Tigers were defeated 8-1 by
16th-ranked Coastal Georgia earlier today.
Tomorrow's match will be played at Lagoon Park. The tournament concludes on
Sunday.
AUM News
Women's
Tennis - Sat. May. 18, 2013
Box Score
MOBILE, Ala. ---- Even with such a long history of success, the celebration after yet
another national title never gets old for the Auburn Montgomery women's tennis
team.
With senior Morgane Zowczak's victory at No. 3 singles,
the Warhawks sealed a 5-1 win over William Carey in the NAIA finals, earning
their third straight championship, their ninth in 10 years and their 13th in
program history.
"We did it as a team," Zowczak said. "It's not like I'm the
hero just because I finished the last match. Even though we lost against some
teams during the season that were not as good as us, we knew that in the end it
was nationals that counted the most. We gave everything we had today, and it
was great to clinch in my last match."
After the Crusaders upset AUM in the regular season, the Warhawks responded
with convincing victories in both the Southern States Athletic Conference
tournament and the NAIA championship match.
AUM grabbed a 2-1 advantage after doubles. Zowczak and fellow senior Hagar Caro earned the first point of the
day with an 8-2 win at the No. 3 position. Jade Curtis and Tiffany William followed with an 8-3 victory
from the top spot before the Crusaders got on the board with an 8-2 win at No.
2 doubles.
"Both our No. 1 and No. 3 teams really got into a good rhythm for
us," head coach Rolando Vargas said. "That helped us go
into singles with some confidence, and the whole team showed up for singles.
Everyone was playing well, and that helps the team keep its energy up on the
court."
William was the first Warhawks to finish up her singles match, recording a
6-1, 6-2 triumph over 41st-ranked Sarah Maria Spruch at the No. 2 position. She
ends the year on an 11-match winning streak and with a 5-1 record against
nationally-ranked opponents.
Shortly afterwards, Curtis concluded a 6-1, 6-1 win over 20th-ranked Carola
Orna at No. 1 singles. The victory was the 60th-straight overall in singles for
the AUM junior, as she ended the year unbeaten for the second season in a row.
Curtis was named the Marvin P. Richmond Outstanding Player of the NAIA
Tournament after the match, earning the prestigious award for the second time
in her three-year career.
"I'm so proud of Jade," Vargas said. "Not just because she's
one of the best players in AUM history, but because of the way she handles
herself. She's a great team leader, and she's outstanding in the classroom.
It's incredible for one player to be able to win two MVP's. She's obviously one
of the key reasons for our success this year."
William and Curtis set the stage for Zowczak, who put away 42nd-ranked Maja
Vuzem 6-2, 6-2 to clinch the championship.
Chanel Cunningham, Hagar Caro and Maria Fernanda Vargas had also won their opening
sets from the fourth, fifth and sixth positions, and were battling in the
second set of their matches at the time of Zowczak's victory.
After battling through injuries throughout the season, AUM ends 2013 with
seven straight wins and a final record of 17-8. Vargas, who has now won
championships in each of his first three years as head coach of the women's
team, was named NAIA Coach of the Year after the match.
"After everything we went through this year, this title is the one
that makes me feel proudest," he said. "I knew what we were capable
of after we won the conference, but we had played so few matches with a full
lineup. I think it was key to start this tournament with a tough match. It
really gave us confidence going forward.
"In the end, it's all about the girls. They played fantastic, and I'm
just fortunate to be here as a coach."
AUM News  Portal Fedecoltenis 2013-05-30 13:54:26
A la
bogotana le gustan los deportes. Practicó atletismo, pero se queda con el
tenis. Su mejor golpe es la derecha, y sus referentes, Sharapova y
Federer. Destacarse en la cancha como deportista y en las aulas como
alumna, tiene un gran mérito. No en todos los países está latente esa
posibilidad, que ha sabido
María Fernanda Vargas,
campeona nacional en el tenis Universitario de Estados Unidos
Fecha
2013-05-30 13:54:2
|
A la bogotana le gustan
los deportes. Practicó atletismo, pero se queda con el tenis. Su mejor golpe es
la derecha, y sus referentes, Sharapova y Federer.
Destacarse en la cancha como deportista y en las aulas
como alumna, tiene un gran mérito. No en todos los países está latente esa
posibilidad, que ha sabido aprovechar la tenista juvenil colombiana María
Fernanda Vargas con enormes méritos.
A partir de la pasión por la raqueta y del trabajo
disciplinado, Vargas ya recogió sus primeros frutos. Junto con el equipo de
Auburn at Montgomery University, en Alabama Estados Unidos, se acaba de coronar
campeona nacional de la categoría National Asociación Intercollegiate Athletics
(NAIA), en la que participan 24 universidades del país.
En la Gran final, disputada el pasado sábado 18 de
mayo en el Mobile Tennis Center en Alabama, vencieron a la Universidad William
Carey de Mississippi.
De visita en Colombia por sus vacaciones, Vargas se
muestra feliz. “Hicimos demasiado esfuerzo y fueron horas de mucho
entrenamiento. El que obtuvimos es un logro muy bueno”, dice la tenista, quien
empezó a jugar a los siete años en el Club Choquenzá en la capital del país, gracias
a su padre, su primer profesor.
Vargas, de 19 años, vive en Estados Unidos desde hace
un año. Allí practica su deporte favorito al mismo tiempo que estudia economía.
Aunque su sueño es ser banquera y su pasión son los números, después de
acabar la carrera desea perdurar en el deporte. "Quiero intentar jugar
profesionalmente", dice.
“Jugar tenis la hace feliz, es un complemento en mi
vida. El estudio es algo importante, aprender de otras culturas, poder
estudiar”, opina Vargas, quien ocupó el primer puesto en el ranking juvenil
nacional colombiano (18 años). En las categorías 12, 14 y 16 años estuvo entre
las 10 primeras.
Pablo de
Narváez
Periodista
Federación Colombiana de Tenis
Federación Colombiana de Tenis
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News
AUM accepted into NCAA Division II membership process
by Josh Coats | Jul 18, 2013
The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) has announced that
Auburn Montgomery has been approved to begin the three-year Division II
membership process, which will officially begin Sept. 1, 2013. Chancellor John
G. Veres III and Athletic Director Steve Crotz were notified of the D-II
Membership Committee’s decision via email Friday afternoon.
"We are excited about the upcoming transition to Division II of the NCAA," Veres said. "Division II’s emphasis on maintaining a healthy balance between athletic and academic pursuits is consistent with Auburn Montgomery’s philosophy and vital to continuing our tradition of excellent performance in the classroom and on the courts, fields and pitches of intercollegiate athletics. We are looking forward to the challenge of competing in the NCAA."
The Warhawks will begin a three-year process of transition to NCAA Division II membership from the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). AUM will remain a member of the NAIA and Southern States Athletic Conference through the 2013-14 season, a transition period called Candidacy Year One with the NCAA. AUM will be eligible for postseason within both the SSAC and the NAIA during the upcoming season.
In Candidacy Year Two, the Warhawks will begin competing in a conference at the NCAA Division II level. Prior to submitting its application for membership on Feb. 1, AUM received a letter of support of its application from the Peach Belt Conference and its Board of Directors.
Following completion of Candidacy Year Three, traditionally known as a provisional year, the Warhawks will gain full NCAA membership and become eligible to compete for NCAA Division II championships, beginning as early as 2016-17. The Division II membership committee annually determines if an institution should be moved forward into the next candidacy year, and it can require an institution to repeat a year if progress is not sufficient.
"We are so grateful to the tremendous support received from the Auburn University Board of Trustees, Chancellor Veres, our Senior Administration, our student body and the SGA leadership, our faculty and our staff throughout this process," said Crotz. "We have worked diligently over the past several years in regards to our branding, infrastructure, academic support and performance, sports offerings, and facility enhancements to bring this members outcome to fruition. Now the real work begins as we further transition our department into compliance as a NCAA Division II member with total focus on the student-athlete experience."
Auburn Montgomery has a storied history of athletic success. AUM teams have captured 22 NAIA National Championships, earning 13 titles in women’s tennis and nine in men’s tennis. Additionally, the institution has 21 national runner-up finishes in six different sports. The Warhawks’ 10 programs have combined to win 96 conference and district championships. AUM also sports a winning percentage of .604 or better in all eight of its head-to-head sports. Recently, AUM posted its highest finish since the 2006-07 season in in the Learfield Sports Directors’ Cup standings with 333 points. The Warhawks finished 36th among all NAIA institutions, a mark which trailed only outgoing member Lee University in the conference. The Learfield Sports Directors’ Cup was developed as a joint effort between the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) and USA Today. Points are awarded based on each institution’s finish in up to 12 sports – six women’s and six men’s. Perhaps even more impressive is the academic success of the Warhawks during the past year, as a record-setting number of student-athletes achieved a 3.0 grade point average or better. During the 2012 fall semester, 98 student-athletes earned a 3.0 GPA or better, a mark which accounts for 57 percent of all student-athletes. AUM athletes extended the record-setting mark during the 2013 spring semester, as an unprecedented 61 percent (104-of-172) of its student-athletes made the Athletic Academic Honor Roll. In addition, seven of the 10 teams posted a team GPA of 3.0 or higher, while the 172 student-athletes, student assistant coaches, managers and graduate assistant coaches, combined for a term grade point average of 3.02. During the 2012-13 season, 31 student-athletes were named to their respective SSAC All-Academic teams, while seven student-athletes earned NAIA Scholar Athlete honors.
Founded in 1906, the NCAA is the most recognized brand in college sports and administers 89 championships in 23 sports for its member institutions. There are more than 400,000 student-athletes competing in three divisions at more than 1,100 colleges and universities within the NCAA. Division II is home to 315 of the association’s 1,108 members, and is home to seven institutions in the state of Alabama. The average enrollment of Division II school’s is 4,163, with 2013 membership composed of public universities (51 percent) and private institutions (49 percent). The Division II membership is focused on an "academics first" philosophy, and the division’s commitment to academic excellence supports the primary mission for NCAA schools - "We are preparing student-athletes to go pro in something other than sports."
