Carol Lee reaches quarterfinals

Lee

Carol Lee reached the quarterfinals of the 2023 NCAA Singles Championship before bowing out against NC State’s No. 26 Amelia Rajecki last May 25 at the USTA National Campus.

According to ramblinwreck.com, Georgia Institute of Technology’s online sports website, the No. 26-ranked Rajecki grabbed an early lead in the opening set, holding a 4-1 advantage before Lee climbed back to 4-3, winning the next two games. The opponents traded the next two games, setting up a 5-4 tally in favor of Rajecki, who served out the set, 6-4.

Lee erased an early 0-2 deficit to open the second set, moving back on serve at 2-all. But Rajecki responded by winning the next two games for a 4-2 advantage. Lee held serve at deuce for a 4-3 tally, but Rajecki won the next two games to take the match, 6-3.
It’s the first time a Georgia Tech player reached the NCAA Championship quarterfinals since 2010.

Lee told Saipan Tribune that she was elated to have advanced to the quarterfinals of the 2023 NCAA Singles Championship.

“I would like to thank my coaches who have supported me all the way, helped me and coached me. I would like to thank my teammates as well who have unconditionally supported me. I would also like to thank my parents who have supported and helped me. They watched every match I have played and stayed up really late and cheered me on (due to a big gap in time zones). My dad especially, who also coached me even though we were far away from each other. Lastly, I would like to thank all my supporters back on Saipan,” she said.

Lee said her plans after the 2023 NCAA Singles Championship is to train some more to prepare for her next tournaments. 

“I’m planning to play some during the summer and represent Pacific Oceania in the Federation Cup coming up.”

Georgia Tech women’s tennis coach Rodney Harmon congratulated Lee for yet another successful season in college tennis. 

“Carol played well this season and finished up by having a really good NCAA Championships.   I sent her home with a short list of things to work on. I know she is so excited to be home and spend time with her family,” he said.

The college website added that Lee concluded a stellar 2023 season as an ITA Singles All-American, producing a 29-12 overall singles record, including a 17-7 dual record from the No. 1 position. 

She was ranked in the Top 10 nationally of the ITA Rankings three times, climbing as high as No. 7 on March 21. In the fall season, she reached the finals of the ITA Southeast Regionals in both doubles and singles, capturing the doubles title with teammate Kate Sharabura. Qualifying for the prestigious ITA National Fall Championships, Lee made a run to the semifinals to close out the fall tournament season.