National Champion for the Under21s

The English National Championships took place at Hatfield, Friday to Sunday. Maria had one game on Friday versus Ella Patel and progressed to the next round with a comfortable 3-0 win (0, 5, 9). On Saturday the competition intensified asMaria faced Denise Payet (4-0, 6, 5, 20, 5) and Emily Bolton (4-1, 6, 6, -10, 7, 5) to reach the final against Tin Tin Ho.

with Tom Jarvis (U21s winner)

with Liam McTiernan (bronze at U21s , Kingfisher team mate)

The final was one of the most dramatic table tennis games one could wish for. It had great shots, change of scores, medical attention. Maria took the first set 12-10 but Tin Tin took the next three ones (8-11, 8-11 6-11) cruising towards the national title. Maria determined as always took the next set 13-11 saving one championship point. The next set was fought hard by both girls but Maria edged it with a an 11-8 win to set up a decider set. Maria started well taking a 5-1 lead which Tin Tin slowly and steadily eroded. With 10-11 and Tin Tin ready to serve Maria had a bad fall hurting her back. This resulted in a medical break for almost the allowed ten minutes. Maria won the next three points. Unfortunately, she was not in the mood to celebrate because she knew her fall had affected her good friend and subsequently apologised for making her wait.

British universities champions

Maria and her table tennis partner Yolanda King won the championship title representing Nottingham University. They beat the local rivals Nottingham Trent University.

Bristol Grand Prix 2015 Women's final: Video

The Table Tennis England Association has made the video of the final available today. Watch on YouTube the five setter game of Maria versus the Italian Ciara Colantoni.

Bristol Grand Prix Success

Maria was crowned the 2015 Bristol Grand Prix Women's and Under 21s Singles champion on Sunday the 15th of November. The competition took place at the University of West England Sport Centre.
Maria finished her group stage with three wins against Edyta Schmid (3-0), Amelia Chan (3-1) and the very promising Anna Hursey (3-0).
At the quarter final stage Maria defeated Emily Bolton (3-1) and progressed to the semi final where 
she met fellow Nottingham University player Emma Ludlow and with a 3-1win she reached the final. At the final she met the Grantham-based Italian Chiara Colantoni. 

The final was a constant battle, highly entertaining with Maria winning the first two sets 12-10 and 14-12. The next two sets were won by Chiara  (11-13 and 5-11). The momentum was now with the Italian girl, especially when the score was 6-10 in her favour. At 7-10 a time out was taken by Chiara and Maria determined as always believed that the game is not finished yet. The next 5 points went Maria's way for a fifth set win of 12-10. 

For the Under 21s group Maria progressed with three 3-0 wins against Kate Roberts, Amy Blagbrough and Medha Verma. Maria faced Kelsey LeMaistre for the quarter final and Gina Rieck for the semi final winning with the same score 3-0 both games. In the final she faced the second seed Emily Bolton and Maria won the second title of the day with yet another 3-0.

Etta report

Part of the TASS Family

Maria has been selected to join the family of TASS (Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme). TASS is a Government funded programme that represents a unique partnership between talented young athletes, National Governing Bodies of Sport (NGB’s) and the Higher (University) and Further (college/school) Education sector. TASS aims to help its athletes to balance academic life with training and competition as a performance athlete.

Maria would like to thank TASS for all the provided support which it will help her during her University days at Nottingham University starting this September.

Commonwealth Table Tennis Senior Call

Maria has been included in the squad to represent England at the Table Tennis Commonwealth games taking place in India this December. Karina LeFevre, Tin Tin Ho and Lois Peake will join Maria trying to achieve medal positions.

The official Table Tennis England report can be read here

First Senior Cap Calling

Maria has been selected to represent England for the Women's team for the European Championships taking place in Russia from the 25th of September to the 4th of October together with Kelly Sibley, Karina Le Fevre and Tin Tin Ho. This is the first opportunity for Maria to earn her first senior cap.

The official announcement as appeared at the website of Table Tennis England can be read here.