Alabama Wins Women’s Tennis Doubles National Championship

In what will go down as one of the most dominant performances in NCAA doubles finals history, Alabama’s Maya Jansen and Erin Routliffe captured the program’s first national title dropping a combined 13 points all match en route to the 6-1, 6-0 victory over Georgia’s Lauren Herring and Maho Kowase on Monday. With the win, the Crimson Tide duo finishes the season at 22-4, taking their final 10 matches.

“This is a total team win,” said Alabama head coach Jenny Mainz. “Erin and Maya brought their best today. I’m so proud of the distance this program has come in my 17 years. We played such commanding doubles and really played on our terms today. They worked so hard for this, and I am so happy for them.”

Alabama opened the match, winning 10-straight points, to take a 2-0 lead overall and a 30-0 edge in the third game. They continued to dominate, pulling in front 4-0 before Georgia was able to get on the board with a hold in the fifth game. Jansen and Routliffe would close out the set on a point penalty from the Bulldogs, winning 6-1.

“Getting those first two games really helped us,” said Jansen. “I really believe that set the tone for the match. I can’t put this into words. This means so much to us.”

In the second set, it was all Alabama as the Tide went on to win six-straight games. Leading 40-15 with Georgia serving, Routliffe, standing at the net, eased the ball with just enough force to lift it over the tape for the victory.

“I am so happy to bring back the first national championship in tennis to Tuscaloosa,” said Routliffe. “We knew we had to come out strong and get a good start. Once that final shot went over the net we looked at each other and didn’t really know what to do. It was excitement and relief all at the same time.”