The JU women’s tennis team wrapped up its 2009 fall season with strong showings from all seven student-athletes.

The highlight of the fall came at the Troy Fall Invitational where the team of junior Eve Castaing and senior Tatiana Soldatova won the women’s doubles ’A Draw’ and the team of juniors Fernanda Carrero and Iva Jaresova also turned in a victory in the women’s doubles ‘B Draw.’

The Dolphins’ first competition came at the Embry-Riddle Open in Daytona, Fla. Their second competition was at the Troy Fall Invitational in Troy, Ala. They rounded out the fall season at the 2009 UNF Hampton Inn 9A & Baymeadows Fall Tennis Invitational in Jacksonville, Fla.

“We had some really nice results at some really good tournaments,” said head coach Shane Wood. “Troy was a great event for us because we went in with no expectations and ended up with doubles victories in both draws. I’m really proud of how we played all fall and we’re looking forward to starting the spring season.”

The Dolphins found early success at the Embry-Riddle Open where JU had a doubles team in the finals of both draws. The sophomore team of Sara Londono and Virginia Iwinski reached the finals of the doubles ‘Blue Flight’ while the team of Castaing/Soldatova advanced to the finals of the doubles ‘Gold Flight.’

Aside from the accomplishments of the doubles teams, Wood’s squad also found success in the singles draws with Iwinski advancing to the finals of the women’s singles ‘Eagle Flight.’ Soldatova and Castaing also showed promise in the women’s singles ‘Gold Flight,’ with Soldatova advancing to the second round and Castaing to the third.

The Troy Invitational was a huge success for the JU women, especially in doubles play where JU won both draws. In singles play, Soldatova advanced to the second round of the women’s ‘A Draw’ and Iwinski and Carrero advanced to the second and third round of the ‘B Draw’ respectively.

At the UNF Imitational, the team of Soldatova/Castaing continued their doubles success, advancing to the third round of the women’s ‘A Draw.’ Both Soldatova and Castaing also advanced to the third round of the women's singles ‘A draw.’ Other notables at the tournament were Londono and Carrero, each advancing to the third round of the women's doubles ‘B draw.’

The Dolphins open up their spring season in January and will have their sights set on an Atlantic Sun Championship in April in Deland, Fla.