Hilltoppers defeat Northeastern State, 5-1; advance to first-ever Sweet 16
SAN MARCOS, Texas - The 18th-ranked St. Edward's women's tennis teamdefeated #21 Northeastern State, 5-1, in the NCAA South Central Regional #2 Championship Friday afternoon at the Bobcat Tennis Complex. The victory sends the Hilltoppers to their first-ever Sweet 16 appearance.
St. Edward's (18-6) jumped out of the gates in doubles action, taking all three matches to go up 3-0. Freshman Heather Brien and Alex Henry combined to defeat Agata Skorupska and Claire Chanay, 8-0 at the number three position. Freshman Mary Bain and junior Liz Jacobi teamed up to down Karolina Cichon and Michaela Romanova, 8-2 at the number two position. The 15th-ranked team of senior Regina DelBosque and freshman Audrey Tompkins won their 11th-straight match by beating Zuzanna Osinska and Emina Spirtovic, 8-3, at the number one position.
In singles play, Henry took an early victory at the number six position over Claire Chanay, 6-1, 6-0. The Hilltoppers needed just one more point and they found it in Jacobi at the number four position. Jacobi defeated Romanova, 6-3, 6-4, to give the Hilltoppers the clinching point. Romanova came into today's match with a 20-1 record. Freshman Heather Brien lost just before the team match completed. She fell to Skorupska 6-2, 6-0.
"A phenomenal effort by the girls for a team that is playing four freshmen," St. Edward's assistant coach Simon Boyce said. "Our doubles has really carried us the second half of this season. We are really looking forward to playing in Orland next week."
The Hilltoppers will advance to the Sweet Sixteen National Championships in Orlando, Fla., which will take place Wednesday and run through next Saturday. The Hilltoppers do not know their opponent or the time of the match. Check the Hilltopper Athletic Website for updates.
2009 Women's South Central Regional Tournament
St. Edward's University - San Marcos, Texas (Bobcat Tennis Complex)
Semifinals
Thursday, May 7
#2 St. Edward's def. #7 Central Oklahoma, 5-1
#3 Northeastern State def. #6 NW Missouri State, 5-0
Final
Friday, May 8
#2 St. Edward's def. #3 Northeastern State, 5-1