WILMINGTON, Del. - - The rematch is set for the 2022 Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference Tournament Championship match, as the Wilmington University women's tennis team and Jefferson will battle for the trophy after the top seeded Wildcats defeated No. 4 Chestnut Hill, 4-0, in the semifinals on Saturday at the Delcastle Tennis Center.
The Wildcats will be going for their second straight CACC Tournament Championship, defeating Jefferson, 4-0, last fall. Second seeded Jefferson defeated No. 3 Post, 4-0, in the other semifinal on Saturday to advance to the Final.
Saturday started quickly for the Wildcats, as they swiftly picked up the doubles point against the Griffins. Carmelle Vial and Fenna Swaan blanked their opponents, 6-0, at No. 1 doubles and not far behind was Valentina Ivankovic and Marley Trifunovic as they shutout their opponent at No. 3 doubles for the point. Neus Ramos Moreno and Jess Purdy were leading, 5-1, at No. 2 doubles, when the point was earned.
Valentina Ivankovic gave the Wildcats their first singles point at No. 4 by virtue of her opponent retiring early in the second team. The Wildcat won the first set, 6-3, before the retirement. Neus Ramos Moreno gave the Wildcats a 3-0 lead with a win at No. 3 singles, defeating Romi Meirovich, 6-3 and 6-2. Carmelle Vial finished off the Griffins with a win at No. 1 singles, winning 6-3 and 6-3, to end the match, 4-0.
Marley Trifunovic and Larize Nel were on the verge of the clinching point as well at No. 5 and No. 6 singles, respectively. Trifunovic won the first set, 6-2, and was leading 5-3 in the second. Nel won the first set, 6-0, and was leading the second set, 5-3, when the match was finished. Jess Purdy was tied, 6-6, in the first set at No. 2 singles.
The Wildcats and Rams met twice in the regular season, with the Wildcats winning, 5-2, to open their season on September 13, and a close 4-3 victory over the Rams on October 6.
Sunday's CACC Championship is set to being at 12:00 p.m. at the Delcastle Tennis Center.