The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga women's tennis team wraps up the 2021 spring regular season with Senior Day on Sunday, April 18. The Mocs host Samford at the UTC Tennis Center at 1:00 p.m. (E.D.T.).
Due to ongoing COVID-19 regulations, only a limited number of spectators on a pass list are allowed inside the facility. Masks and social distancing are required by all visitors throughout the match. For those that can't make it, a link for live scoring is available on the women's tennis schedule page on GoMocs.com.
UTC is battling for the fourth and final spot in the Southern Conference Tournament set for April 23-24 in Birmingham, Ala. The Mocs are currently in fifth place with a 2-4 league record and a 9-8 overall mark.
"The team is excited about the Senior Day match against Samford," stated head coach Chad Camper.
"The ladies have had great season and look forward to finishing strong. Our win against UNCG last weekend gave us some solid momentum going into this last conference match."
Samford is in fourth place at 2-3 in SoCon action and 12-10 overall. The Bulldogs visit Mercer on Friday before making the trip to Chattanooga.
Furman (18-6, 6-0 SoCon), ETSU (12-8, 6-0) and Wofford (11-5, 4-2) have all clinched spots in the Tournament. Western Carolina (9-7, 1-4) is the only other team with a shot at the fourth place position. The Catamounts travel to Wofford on Saturday and Mercer on Sunday.
UTC is honoring Polina Goloputova, Bogdana Zaporozhets and Emma Van Hee as part of the Senior Day festivities. All three are playing in their final matches at home on Sunday.
Goloputova is in her third season in the program. She is 10-7 in singles, including a 7-7 mark at No. 3 in the spring. For her career, she is 35-34 in singles play and has a 19-17 mark in doubles.
"Polina is competitive, no matter what position she plays in the lineup," said Camper. "Her athletic ability and natural talent make her very difficult to play against. Polina has overcome some injuries and always comes back hungrier and more determined every time."
Zaporozhets is a two-time Academic All-SoCon honoree who is finishing her fourth season with the Mocs. She is 12-8 in singles in 2020-21, including 5-5 at No. 4. She carries a 9-6 mark at No. 2 doubles with Jessie Young as her partner.
For her career, Zaporozhets is 59-47 in doubles. That is currently tied with Emily Hangstefer (2009-12) for seventh most doubles wins on record at UTC. One more victory and she can tie Katie Polk (2013-16) for sixth.
"Bogdana has had an amazing career here at Chattanooga," added Camper. "She has led the development and productivity of the tennis program. She has seen many changes to facilities and incoming players and has improved every season. Bogdana's cool and steady style has been a rock for the program."
Van Hee is another two-time Academic All-SoCon honoree who has led the team in singles wins each of the last three seasons. She is currently 18-7 overall and 13-4 at No. 2. In doubles play, she is 15-9 overall and 6-6 at No. 1 with Caroline Gibbens.
Van Hee carries a 63-41 career singles record and is currently tied for sixth most singles wins on record at Chattanooga with Shaina Singh (2009-12). Her career 58-47 doubles tally is ninth all-time, one behind Zaporozhets and Hangstefer.
"Emma started out her freshman year not even in the singles lineup, but now is a leader on and off the court playing the No. 2 spot this season," stated Camper. "They don't come more competitive than Emma. She always finds a way to put herself in a situation to win the match. Great grades, great work ethic and great teammate really defines Emma van Hee."