Juliette Demunck wins OVC singles fall tennis tournament

On September 22, the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) Women’s Tennis Tournament concluded, with SEMO's Juliette Demunck clinching the first place singles title.

The sophomore from Switzerland had a strong showing, especially after playing in the fifth and sixth positions as a freshman. She achieved her first collegiate victory on March 29 last year against Tennessee State’s Daniela Kovela.

Demunck entered her sophomore season determined and triumphed in the fall OVC tournament over SIUE's Payton Tomicheck. After dropping the first set 3-6, she rallied to take the second set 6-4 and sealed her victory in the super tiebreak, winning 10-5.

Demunck shared how she overcame adversity to come back and win in the championship set of the tournament.

“It was really hard. I was kind of desperate. I was down in the second set but I kept the mindset that I had to keep going and I just kept thinking that and it helped me,” Demunck said.

Demunck explained how she mentally dealt with the pressure of playing in a big championship match.

“I was pretty chill, I knew we practiced a lot and I had a lot of frustration going into this tournament, so it was important that I stayed prepared point after point, match after match,” Demunck said.

Demunck a native of Switzerland, has been in the states for over a year now, and said her adjustment to the US was helped by the friends she’s made around her.

“First semester was pretty difficult because it was such a cultural shock and I needed to get used to a new environment. Now I have made friends and created my own environment and now I have friends to help me,” Demunck said.

Demunk is now an OVC champion, and plans to continue to grow and get better as a player for the rest of the season.

“Our goal is to be the best and try to get better every practice, that is our main goal,” Demunck said.

Demunck continued her streak of dominance as she played in the Murfreesboro tournament Oct. 4 and 5 at Middle Tennessee State University, winning all of her matches. The women’s tennis team plays next in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) in Murphysboro, Tennessee on Oct. 10-13.