Kordolaimi Wins Greek Under-18 Junior Championships
7/5/2011 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
July 5, 2011
The future continues to look brighter for the Stephen F. Austin Ladyjack tennis team. Following a record-setting season that saw SFA win a program-best 20 matches, first-year head coach Patrick Sullivan hauled in one of the nation's top signing classes. Lamia, Greece native Elena Kordolaimi showed signs of how talented that signing class is by winning the Greek Under-18 Junior Championships over the weekend.
"A couple of years ago Elena was the No. 1 Greek girl in her age division," said Sullivan. "But she suffered a serious injury and was told that she would never play tennis at a high level again. She refused to accept that prognosis and found a doctor that did an experimental surgery on her. She has spent the last year rehabbing and this is her first major tournament, so obviously it is a huge victory for her in a lot of ways.
"Just last week my wife Caroline and I had the chance to travel to Greece, where Elena and her family welcomed us into their home and made us feel like old friends. After seeing the incredible amount of support she gets at home combined with Elena's outstanding attitude and work ethic, it is easy to see how even major surgery has not derailed her tennis dreams. I'm extremely proud of Elena and am excited that she will have this opportunity to bring positive recognition to both her country and to SFA," added Sullivan.
Kordolaimi was not one of the seeded players entering the tournament due to injuries that she has been battling for the past two seasons. Facing one of the toughest draws, she defeated the top three seeds on her way to winning the title. Kordolaimi dominated the field of 64 winning each match without dropping a set.
The tournament victory earns her a spot on the Greek National Team, which she will join when she represents her country in the prestigious European U18 Tennis Championship in Switzerland later this month.
-SFA-
