The University of the South wrapped up the 2023 season with a pair of national championships. After winning the ITA Cup Division III national championship in the fall, the duo took down Babson College’s Matia Cristiani and Olivia Soffer, 6-4, 6-2, in the Doubles National Championship at the 2023 NCAA Division III Championships, Monday from the USTA
National Campus on Team USA Court No. 1.
It is the first national individual championship for the University of the South women’s tennis. For the University of the South, it is the second national individual championship.
The Beavers (23-4) and Tigers went back and forth in the first set. Tied at four, Sewanee won
the final two games to secure the first set, 6-4.
In the second set, Despriet and Petty (22-6) were feeling it, as they stormed out to a 3-0 lead.
However, the Beavers had one last rally, as they cut the deficit to 3-2.
In the next game, despite issues at the serve, the Purple and White restored order and made it
a 4-2 lead.
After not allowing a rally to the opposition to make it 5-2, the Tigers sensed the championship
was inching closer to coming to the mountain. Storming out to a 40, love lead in the final game,
an ace by Despriet at the serve clinched the national championship for the Tigers.
Winning the Intercollegiate Tennis Association’s (ITA) Cup in the fall, this is the second national
championship the duo has captured this season. Also winning the ITA Regional Championship,
they finish a perfect 12-0 in tournament play.
Brooke Despriet and Katherine Petty join Heather Stone C'00 (track and field) as the only
individual national champions in the history of the University of the South.
"It's just so surreal. I think this was a special moment. Even from yesterday, making history with
Sewanee Tennis and going into today, just trying to stay calm, keep each other hyped, but also ease our nerves a little bit. I think we just wanted to enjoy the day and bring it home for our
school and for our coaches," said Petty.
"I think going into it we really didn't know what to expect. We knew they were going to be solid,
so we had to go in with a lot of energy and play the best we could," said Despriet.
Ranked the top doubles team in the country all season, the team finished the 2022-23 with a
22-6 record as a team. Petty finishes doubles play with 24 wins, while Despriet tallied 23.