The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

WHILE Sierra Donaldson won her opening match in the girls’ singles, Donte Armbrister suffered a heartbreaking loss as the Bahamas began play at the JITIC Under-18 Regional Championships in Trinidad & Tobago.

After getting a bye in the first round, No. 16 seed Donaldson went on to win her second round match with a 6-3, 6-2 decision over Osenvonve Nwokolo of Trinidad and Tobago.

“At first I was nervous, but I had to overcome that so I could play my match and win my game,” Donaldson said. “The player I played was a tall and strong girl, so I had to use consistency and height to try to beat her.

“She was a really hard hitter and she hit some lucky shots on me, which caught me off guard. But I had to be quick on my feet so I could play.”

Donaldson said she felt she played a much better match and had more intensity at the end to pull off the match. She was scheduled to play either No.1 seed Rut Galindo or Brendamaria Cuadra.

Armbrister, also seeded at No.16 in the boys’ singles, lost 6-4, 6-7 (2), 6-4 to Mauricio Hernandez of Mexico.

“I played a good match. It was different styles, a lot of variety of shots in the match,” he said. “It was different playing a server and volley player. I never played one before, but I think I adjusted very well in the match and I hope that I can away the experience to help me to play better in the future.”

Armbrister is teaming up with Tomas Del Olmo. They were scheduled to play their first match yesterday against Edward Laquis from Trinidad & Tobago and Curt Seifert from Barbados.

Afrika Smith, the other member of Team Bahamas, got a bye in the first round. She was scheduled to play her first match yesterday against Claudia Cecilia Rosas Garcia, the No.13 seed from Mexico.

However, no results were available up to press time.

“At this moment, I feel like I’m ready to play whoever I have to play,” Smith said. “My frame of mind is just play her game, no matter what type of player she is. You’re not playing the player, but you’re playing the ball.

“I’m ready to face whatever. I’m going out there with a positive mind that whatever I do, I will do my best and leave it all out there on the court.”

Donaldson and Smith are combining as a team from the Bahamas to play in the girls’ doubles. Their first match is expected to be against the Trinidad & Tobago duo of Abigail Jones and Jade Tom Yew.