Akli, Hamner Begin Journeys at ITA All-American Championships

Cary, N.C. – Senior Ayana Akli and sophomore Sarah Hamner of South Carolina women’s tennis will take on the ITA All-American Championships this week in Cary, N.C. Akli will begin play in the qualifying rounds on Monday while Hamner will start her journey in the main draw beginning Wednesday.

Akli will enter the tournament in the qualifying draw for the second time in as many years. At the 2021 edition of the event, the Silver Spring, Maryland, native worked her way through the qualifying draw to earn a spot in the main draw where she fell in the first round.

In the first round of qualifiers, No. 42 Akli will take on No. 63 Page Freeman of Notre Dame at 12:30 p.m. at the Cary Tennis Park.

Hamner has earned a direct entry into the main draw after having won the tournament last season. Hamner, the No. 2 ranked player in the nation, worked her way from the qualifying draw all the way through the title match last year as a freshman. The now-sophomore is looking to repeat her impressive feat and will begin main draw rounds on Wednesday.

Akli and Hamner will both also enter the competition in the qualifying draw of doubles. The duo has a preseason ranking of T-60 and will begin doubles competition on Monday at 2 p.m. The Gamecock duo will battle against the University of San Francisco’s Maria Matinez Vaquero and Rita Colyer.

Additional draw information and match times are available on the ITA’s tournament webpage.

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