CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – An incredible Millsaps women's tennis career came to a close for senior
Grace Gaskins at the NCAA Division III Women's Tennis Individual Championships on Friday. Gaskins was bested by fourth-ranked Venia Yeung of Wesleyan (CT), 6-4, 6-3 in the Singles Round of 32 at the Champions Tennis Club in Chattanooga, Tenn.
Gaskins entered the tournament ranked No. 5 out of the Atlantic South Region but held her own against her nationally seeded challenger. The pair battled with multiple runs and lead changes over the stretch of two sets.
In set one, Gaskins claimed the opening point to set a strong tone. Yeung would respond from the initial swing and score the next four points to gain momentum. Gaskins then cut the deficit to two before Yeung would answer to grab a 5-2 lead.
Gaskins would then trim the disadvantage to 5-4 with the next two points and put the pressure on her opponent. The final point would go in Yeung's favor as the junior claimed set one, 6-4.
The second set began in similar fashion to the first with Gaskins claiming the first point. She would then claim the next two rallies for a 3-0 edge. Yeung however proved too tough on the day as she would score the final six points and claim the match, 6-3 in the second.
"Grace will go down as one of the best players to ever put on a Millsaps tennis uniform," Millsaps head men's and women's tennis coach
Davis Elkins said post-match. "The combination of her work ethic, tenacity, and love for the game is what makes her irreplaceable as a competitor and teammate. She gave everything she had today, fighting through heavy adversity, leaving me proud to be able to coach such a special player."
Gaskins finished her decorated Millsaps career with a 35-7 singles mark, 36-16 doubles record and was a three-time All-Southern Athletic Association First Team selection. Her junior season did not feature All-SAA honors due to the season being abbreviated by the global pandemic.
Her senior year might have been her best yet, posting a 9-1 singles tally and 10-1 doubles standing. She was named the SAA Player of the Year, was a member of the SAA All-Tournament Team and earned a pair of SAA Player of the Week honors.
Her leadership helped power the Millsaps women's tennis program to both its first SAA Regular Season and Postseason titles this spring. The Majors went on to claim their first NCAA Tournament win in their first appearance courtesy of a Gaskins doubles and singles victory against Northwestern-St. Paul.
Gaskins was also recognized as the SAA Co-Newcomer of the Year as a freshman and was an NCAA Division III UTR ITA National Player of the Week as a junior.
The three-time All-SAA Academic Honor Roll member and Business Administration graduate will now continue her tennis journey at Dallas Baptist University, an NCAA Division II tennis program, where she will also pursue an MBA.
To keep up to date with everything surrounding the Millsaps women's tennis program follow the Majors on Twitter and Instagram, like Millsaps Majors Athletics on Facebook or visit gomajors.com.
