MIDDLEBURY, Conn. - - For the first time in program history, the Wilmington University women's tennis team will play for a Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference Tournament Championship after defeating No. 2 Concordia, 5-2, in the semifinal on Friday afternoon at the Edgewood Bath & Tennis Club, hosted by Post University.
With the win, the third seeded Wildcats (10-5 overall) advance to play CACC Regular Season Champion and top seeded Goldey-Beacom on Saturday for the CACC Championship. Goldey-Beacom defeated fourth seeded USciences, 5-0, in the first semifinal.
The Wildcats gained momentum after the doubles matches, winning two of the three. Concordia (10-2) got on the board first, however, taking third doubles with a score of 8-3. The Wildcats tied the match with an 8-4 win at number two doubles, and both courts came over to watch the finish at first doubles.
Leading the match 6-3, the Wildcats' Laura Gil and Andrea Ribalta couldn't put the Clippers away easily, as they fought back to get to within 6-5. The duo broke the next game to reach set game, but the Clippers again came back to get within 7-6. Gil and Ribalta were able to put the match away, and give the Wildcats a tough, 2-1, lead with an 8-6 victory.
Ribalta carried the momentum into her singles match, giving the Wildcats their third point with a 6-2, 6-0 victory at number five singles. Concordia kept pace with a win at number three singles, but Jane Malygina kept the Wildcats in front with a 6-1, 6-3 victory at number two singles.
Tess Paya didn't allow the Clippers to make any more moves, as she put the match away at number six singles, 6-4 and 6-1, giving the Wildcats the 5-2 victory.
Anushka Sathe won the first set at number four singles, but was behind in the third set, 4-1, when the match finished. Begona Gomar dropped the first set, 7-5, but was right with the Clippers number one, 6-6, in the second set when the match ended.
The two Delaware teams squared off early in the season, with the Lightning taking the match, 8-1, on September 27.
The first serve of the 2017 CACC Tournament Championship will take place at 12:00 p.m. at the Edgewood Bath and Tennis Club.
The match can be streamed live at: collegetvticket.com.