Abigail Tere-Apisah’s remarkable career at Georgia State came to an end in the NCAA single’s championship semifinals as the Papua New Guinea native fell to Cal’s Lynn Chi 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 (2) Sunday in Athens, Georgia.
Tere-Apisah made it further into the postseason than anyone in the program’s history, but she ended up one set short of competing for a national title.
Tere-Apisah fell behind dropping down to 4-0 in the first set before finding her rhythm, a trend Tere-Apisah suffered throughout the tournament.
“Before coming to this match, I said I need to start strong this time,” Tere-Apisah said to Georgia State Athletics. “Once again, it didn’t happen.”
Tere-Apisah found her shot to even the match at one set a piece, and it appeared history may repeat itself like it had Friday when she came from behind in her quarterfinals match to win in three sets winning the third set 6-1.
Yet, Tere-Apisah fell behind early in the third set as Chi was able to break early taking a 3-0 lead.
Tere-Apisah pushed the match to a tiebreaker to dramatically decide the match, but did not have enough for the win ending her illustrious collegiate career.
“It’s been so much fun to see it and work with her, and what a great way to go out,” Interim coach Robin Stephenson said to Athletics.
“She wanted it badly. It’s too bad it came down to tiebreaker in the third set. She put herself in position to win that match and put herself in the final, but that’s the name of the game.”
Tere-Apisah ended her run at Georgia State with school records for most career wins (87) and most wins in a single season (32). She is a two-time All-American earning the title this season and in 2012. She was awarded the Sun Belt Athlete of the Year in her final two seasons. She was The Signal’s 2014 Athlete of the Year.
Tere-Apisah now looks to the future, and in a recent interview with The Signal, she said she would like to go professional and compete in the circuit.
“Being a senior in my last tournament, I just wanted to come out and play,” Tere-Apisah said to Athletics. “But four years here at Georgia State, it’s been amazing. I’m truly going to miss it.”
