
WILMINGTON, Del. - - The Wilmington University women's tennis team dropped its final tune up prior to the NCAA Regional Tournament, 4-3, to regionally ranked Queens (N.Y.) on Saturday afternoon at the Delcastle Tennis Center.
The Knights, ranked No. 4 in the latest NCAA Division II East Regional Poll, rallied back from down 4-0 in the third set at No. 6 singles to steal the match from the Wildcats (16-3).
The Wildcats once again played well in the doubles matches, earning the team point to move ahead 1-0. The nationally ranked No. 29 duo of Jess Purdy and Neus Ramos Moreno got eh ball rolling with a quick 6-0 win at No. 1. Larize Nel and Fenna Swaan gave the Wildcats the point by winning at No. 3, 6-1.
The Knights tied the match, 1-1, with a win at No. 3 singles, but Neus Ramos Moreno quickly gave the Wildcats the lead back with a win straight set, 6-4 and 6-1, win at No. 1 singles.
The Knights again tied the match with a win at No. 2 singles, but Valentina Ivankovic moved the Wildcats ahead, 3-2, with a comeback win at No. 4 singles, dropping the first set, 7-5, but then she battled back to take the next two sets, 6-0 and 6-2.
Marley Trifunovic won the first set, 6-0, at No. 5 singles, but then the Knights' Lilly Schmidt fought back to win the match, 6-4 and 6-3, to tie the match again, 3-3.
Larize Nel won the second set, 7-5, to tie the match at No. 6, 1-1, and held a 4-0 lead in the third set before Chole Certain came all the back to win the set, 7-5, and the match, 2-1.
The Wildcats now await their seeding for the NCAA Division II East Regional Tournament. They were No. 1 in this week's regional poll. The final pairings will be announced on the selection show on Tuesday, May 3 at 8:30 p.m.