b'They did it! Lady Tiger Tennis Captures First National Championship With four singles national championsteam win it all, Raga said. The girlsArystanbekova, Serena Pereyra and and two doubles champs, the Cowleygave everything they had today and areAkari Tomoyose captured titles at No. College womens tennis team placedalways willing to do whatever it takes.1, 3, and 4 singles and did not drop a first at the NJCAA Division I NationalAfter finishing as the nationalset en route to their singles titles. Championships held May 4-8 at therunner-up as a team a season ago,They are all so talented, and we are JoAnn Medlock Murphy Tennisreturning sophomores Arina Babenkofortunate to have them at Cowley, Center in Tyler, TX. The title was theand Mariana Jimenez were crucial toRaga said. first in the history of the program.the Lady Tigers getting the job done Entering the final day of thein 2024.Also new to Cowley this season tournament with a two-pointwas Lady Tiger assistant coach Brady advantage over the defending nationalThose two provided guidance to theMatthews, who, along with Raga, champion Hillsborough Communityyounger players and were a huge helpwas integral in leading the team College, the Lady Tigers won five ofto the team, Raga said.throughout the season. six final matches against the HawksBabenko repeated as the nationalCowley had already captured the team to claim the national championship.champion at No. 2 singles and teamedtitle before doubles play even started.Hillsborough would finish second andwith Yerkezhan Arystanbekova toHowever, the Lady Tigers captured Tyler Junior College placed third.finish as the national runner-up atdoubles titles from all three doubles Arianna Raga, who was a formerNo. 1 doubles, while Jimenez lost ateams. player at Cowley and an assistanthard-fought match in the finals of No.Cowley captured doubles titles from coach to her brother Manuel Raga6 singles before bouncing back to teamits No. 2 doubles tandem of Roselida when Cowley finished as the nationalwith Serena Pereyra to win the finals ofAsumwa and Akari Tomoyose, as well runner-up a season ago, was gratefulNo. 3 doubles.as its No. 3 doubles team of Mariana for the opportunity to lead thisArina always performs well in theJimenez and Serena Pereyra.amazing group of young ladies.clutch, Raga said. I am so happy forWith six of Cowleys eight players We have been so close the lastArina to win back-to-back singles titlesbeing freshmen, the Lady Tigers couple of years, and it was always myand for Marianna to win the doublesshould enter next season ranked No. goal to win nationals as a player andtitle with Serena.1 with a chance to repeat as national to come back one day and help theLady Tiger freshmen Yerkezhanchamps.'