The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Tribune Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

IESHA Shepherd continues to be a leading player for the Chicago State Cougars’ women’s tennis team in just her freshman season.

Shepherd concluded the UIC Fall Invitational with a win in singles play and finished play with an undefeated singles record. She scored a 6-1, 6-3 over Dao Sysouvanh of Valparaiso University.

It brought Shepherd’s singles record to 5-0 for the season.

Also earning a singles win against the Crusaders was fellow freshman Alana.

In doubles play, she teamed up with senior Maria Kostyuk for a 6-3 win over the UIC duo of Georgie Sanders and Lejla Colic to conclude the invite.

The Cougars return to action September 29 to October 1 with the Wildcat Classic, hosted by Northwestern, in Evanston, llinois.

Cougars’ head coach Jack Barton told the Tribune in previous interviews of the impact he expected Shepherd to have on the programme. Those expectations have come to fruition thus far.

“I met Iesha and her dad during her junior year at a recruiting event. When I first saw her, I knew that she was a winner. Her work ethic shows in her game and she has played many ITF tournaments around the world so her experience in that arena is a plus.

“Having represented the Bahamas’ Junior Fed Cup team is huge because she will already understand what it takes to play on a team.

“Her fitness and mental toughness is just what we need for our team. I think she is the poster child for positivity and she is one of those athletes who will come early and stay late to reach her maximum potential.

“It also shows in her academics. I cannot wait for the CSU family to see her in action. We are fortunate to have her here,” he said.

At the national team level, Shepherd has represented the Bahamas at the World Juniors, Junior Fed Cup and is currently 1,743 on the International Tennis Federation’s World Junior Circuit. She is the daughter of Derick Shepherd and Vernita Ellis.