Thirkell Interview

Colorado College senior Deanna Thirkell tied up her collegiate women's tennis career with a symbolic bow as colorful as the black-and-gold one woven into her hair while competing on Sunday.
 
The No. 1 singles player sealed the Tigers' 5-4 win over Birmingham Southern College and a fifth-place finish at the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference championships with a 6-3, 6-0 victory over BSC's Maya Moore.
 
“It is a really good feeling,” Thirkell said.  “It is the perfect way you can finish in college tennis. Doing it with that bagel (6-0 win) is pretty special.”
 
The fifth-place showing matches the CC women's best finish in the SCAC league tournament.
 
“It is a really special day for the team and for Deanna to finish her career with a big doubles win and another in singles against a quality team,” CC head coach Todd Doebler said.
 
Freshman Mary Edman won twice as well, while paired with Thirkell in their hard-fought 9-8 (8-6) pro set victory and in No. 5 singles. She was happy for the team win and especially for her partner Thirkell, the only senior on the squad.
 
“I really wanted to win for the team and especially for Dee,” Edman said. “We wanted to prove to the doubters out there that we deserved a higher seed (than seventh).”
 
The weekend provided a strong and memorable ending for the season and Thirkell's career.
 
“The ladies really competed well the whole tournament,” Doebler said. “That helps you pull out wins like this today.”
 
The foundation appears set for the program to take the next step into the top tier of the new SCAC next season.
 
“They learned a lot this year and really came together as a team,” Doebler said.
 

---

Results
 
Colorado College 5, Birmingham Southern 4
Fifth-place match
 
Singles Competition
1. CC – Denna Thirkell def. Maya Moore 6-3, 6-0
2. BSC – Raeann Lamere def. Katie Patterson 6-0, 6-1
3.  BSC – Emily Holst def. Caila Criss 6-2, 6-7 (6-8), 10-7
4.  BSC – Terria Punturo def. Maddy Bush 6-1, 6-1
5. CC – Mary Edman def. Hilary Brooks 6-1, 6-0
6.  CC – Maggie Harwood def. Payton Gartman 6-4, 6-1
 
Doubles Competition
1. CC – Deanna Thirkell/Mary Edman def. Maya Moore/Emily Holst 9-8 (8-6)
2. BSC – Raeann Lamere/Terria Puntero def. Katie Patterson/Caila Criss 8-5
3. CC – Maddy Bush/Anna Sweeney def. Hilary Brooks/Payton Gartman 8-4