By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

KERRIE Cartwright has made the transition from the national ranks to the collegiate circuit in grand style.

The freshman at Tyler Junior College posted her victories in the final of both the singles and doubles at the National Junior College Athletic Association's Division One Women's Tennis National Championships on their home court yesterday.

Her performances helped Tyler Junior College to win the national title in the process.

"I feel great. I feel wonderful. Everything has gone very well for me," said Cartwright moments after she was presented with her trophies at the tournament.

In the singles final, Cartwright pulled off an identical 6-2, 6-2 decision over Diana Davitaia of Cowley. Cartwright was the No.2 seed behind the top ranked Davitaia.

Cartwright also teamed up with Leitz to win the doubles title with a 7-5, 6-2 decision over Mariana Palacios and Laurence Porry of State College of Florida.

"I enjoyed both events but the singles the most," Cartwright said.

Looking back at her performances, Cartwright said she felt it was a very productive week.

In the singles, she got by No.3 Greta Veinberga 6-4, 6-4 in the semifinal and 6-0, 6-1 over No.5 Laurence Porry in the quarter-final.

In doubles, Cartwright and Leitz knocked off No.2 Biro/Davitaia in the semis and in the quarter-final, they eliminated the team of No.7 Niznik and Okrusashvii.

"The competition, as time went on, got better and better," Cartwright said. "I had to really step it up. So I'm very happy that I was able to win the two titles."

Cartwright, who has represented the Bahamas at the Women's Fed Cup, said she will enjoy the experience with her team-mates before she gets set for summer school.

"The whole team is just going to hang out and enjoy this experience," Cartwright said.

Here at home, nobody was more thrilled about her feat than her father, Sean Cartwright.

"I feel very good. I feel so proud about Kerrie," he said. "She is only in her first year in college and already she won the national singles and doubles titles. That's fantastic to me."

Although he wasn't there in person, Sean Cartwright said he had the opportunity to follow Kerrie Cartwright's run through the tournament online.

"I knew it would have been tough because the girl (Davitaia) beat her twice this year," he said. "So I just told her that if she wanted to win the match, make sure she gave her difficult balls to hit and try to keep her errors down and she could come out with the win."

Sean Cartwright said he was pleased to note that Kerrie Cartwright followed the instructions and played the type of game that she was required to and she emerged as the champion.

"She played some smart tennis. She played very, very well," he said. "I'm very proud of her right now. I only expect things to get better for her as she looks forward to getting in some tournaments."