Boise State Athletics
Boise State’s Heffernan helps Ireland to opening match victory at Billie Jean King Cup
6/15/2021 11:08:00 AM | Women's Tennis
BOISE, Idaho - Boise State women's tennis sophomore Shauna Heffernan is representing Ireland this week at the Billie Jean King Cup in Lithuania. Heffernan and her Irish teammates opened play in the early morning hours (Mountain Time) Tuesday storming to a sweep (3-0) over Ghana. In the match, Heffernan teamed with Sophia Derivan in doubles to dominate Naa Anyema McKorley and Nyanyuie Grace Tomegah in straight sets 6-0, 6-0 to complete the sweep for the Irish.
"I think it's everyone's dream to be able to represent their country on the national team at the highest level, so I'm elated that Shauna is making the most of her opportunity to do that," said Boise State head coach Beck Roghaar. "Shauna's dedication to the game is top notch and she's such a great competitor. We're proud to have her switch the Bronco jersey out for an Irish one this week and take a piece of our program to such a prestigious event in our sport. It's a really big deal and it speaks to the caliber of players in our program, and what they do in their time here. She played such a great match in Ireland's dominating win over Ghana and we look forward to seeing more of the Bronco fire out there in her next round."
Heffernan is one of four ladies chosen by Tennis Ireland to represent the country, three of the four are playing collegiately in the United States. Heffernan will be entering her sophomore season this coming fall at Boise State. Meanwhile, she is joined on the Ireland team by Sophia Derivan from the University of Colorado, Anna Bowtell from Rice University. The fourth member of the squad is Celine Simunyu.
The Billie Jean King Cup was formerly known as the Federation Cup and is the premiere international women's tennis competition in the world. It is the equivalent to the men's Davis Cup and is the World Cup of Women's Team Tennis.
Ireland is competing in Group III of the international tournament featuring 21 teams representing Europe and Africa which is being played in Vilnius, Lithuania, at the SEB Arena. The four teams in Ireland's opening round group (Group D) will play a round robin format competition with the top two advancing to the next round. Joining Ireland in Group D are Ghana, Iceland and Armenia.
The Irish will tentatively face Iceland on Wednesday, followed by Armenia on Thursday.
"I think it's everyone's dream to be able to represent their country on the national team at the highest level, so I'm elated that Shauna is making the most of her opportunity to do that," said Boise State head coach Beck Roghaar. "Shauna's dedication to the game is top notch and she's such a great competitor. We're proud to have her switch the Bronco jersey out for an Irish one this week and take a piece of our program to such a prestigious event in our sport. It's a really big deal and it speaks to the caliber of players in our program, and what they do in their time here. She played such a great match in Ireland's dominating win over Ghana and we look forward to seeing more of the Bronco fire out there in her next round."
Heffernan is one of four ladies chosen by Tennis Ireland to represent the country, three of the four are playing collegiately in the United States. Heffernan will be entering her sophomore season this coming fall at Boise State. Meanwhile, she is joined on the Ireland team by Sophia Derivan from the University of Colorado, Anna Bowtell from Rice University. The fourth member of the squad is Celine Simunyu.
The Billie Jean King Cup was formerly known as the Federation Cup and is the premiere international women's tennis competition in the world. It is the equivalent to the men's Davis Cup and is the World Cup of Women's Team Tennis.
Ireland is competing in Group III of the international tournament featuring 21 teams representing Europe and Africa which is being played in Vilnius, Lithuania, at the SEB Arena. The four teams in Ireland's opening round group (Group D) will play a round robin format competition with the top two advancing to the next round. Joining Ireland in Group D are Ghana, Iceland and Armenia.
The Irish will tentatively face Iceland on Wednesday, followed by Armenia on Thursday.
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