ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, Fla. - For the second time in three years, the No. 8-ranked (ITA Division II Top 50) Flagler College women's tennis team advanced to the final four of the NCAA Division II National Championship, after their victory against No. 4 University of North Georgia, 4-0 this morning at Sanlando Park.
The Saints broke the D2-era record for most wins in one season as they advanced to 23-5. The Nighthawks ended their season with a 21-7 record. The Saints will face off against No. 1 Barry University on Saturday at 9 a.m. The winner will then play for the national title against the winner of No. 2 Nova Southeastern University and No. 3 Midwestern State University on Sunday.
The morning began with the Saints dropping the first match at No. 2 doubles. No. 3
Dana Heimen and
Anastasia Nikolova had a hard-fought 7-5 win over No. 7 Angelina Linnikova and Carolina Reis.
Sofia Balsera and
Eryka Kruk went down to the wire against Ashley Moinard and Vasiliss Kupriyanova. After being sent into a 6-6 tiebreak, both teams exchanged back and forth points till Balsera and Kruk managed to squeeze out the 7-6 (7-5) win and secure the doubles point.
Starting off strong in singles was No. 40 Nikolova against No. 55 Ashley Moinard. Taking the first set 6-3, Nikolova breezed by the second set to take the match 6-0. This is the third time the two have met, with Nikolova leading the series 2-1. Balsera followed close behind with her win against Reis. With a 6-2 first set, Balsera launched the Saints into a position to clinch with a 6-3 second set. The remaining four matches were all within reach, but for the second time this tournament, Kruk clinched the win for the Saints. With a 6-1 first set, Kruk battled hard against Linn Goerdes to take the match 7-5.
Prior to the stoppage, No. 8 Heimen and No. 2 Linnikova were having an intense match that resulted in Heimen taking set one 7-6 (7-3).
Adela Latalova rallied to tie her second set 5-5 after dropping the first against Kupriyanova.
Laura Jipescu and Emily Bush were about to begin their third set with Jipescu taking the first 6-3 but dropping the second 7-5.
