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WILMINGTON, Del. - - Florida Bound! For the first time in program history, the Wilmington University women's tennis team won an NCAA Division II Regional match, defeating No. 5 Le Moyne, 4-0, in the East Regional #1 Bracket on Saturday at the Delcastle Tennis Center to advance to the NCAA Division II National Championships.
The Wildcats become the third team in Wilmington University Athletics' NCAA era to win a Regional Tournament, joining the 2012 and 2015 golf programs and the 2015 baseball team. The Wildcats are one of 16 women's tennis teams advancing to the National Tournament.
The hardest point to get for the Wildcats on Saturday was the first point, as the doubles matches came down to the final court. Larize Nel and Fenna Swaan took care of their opponents at No. 3 doubles, 6-1, but the Dolphins tied the doubles matches, 1-1, with a win at No. 1, 6-3.
Marley Trifunovic and Valentina Ivankovic were leading their match at No.2. doubles, 5-2, but the Dolphins' duo of Marta Nunez and Fiona Pepper stormed back to tie the match, 5-5. But Ivankovic kept serve to take a 6-5 lead and then the Wilmington pair broke win the match, 7-5, and earn the doubles' point.
Jess Purdy was on the top of her game at No. 1 singles, taking care of her opponent in short work, 6-1 and 6-0, to give the Wildcats a 2-0 lead. Larize Nel won, 6-3 and 6-1, at No. 6 singles to move the Wildcats to within a point of the championship, 3-0, and then the lone senior on the squad Begona Gomar completed the victory on the No. 4 court, 6-0 and 6-0, for the 4-0 victory.
Neus Ramons Moreno and Valentina Ivankovic each won the first sets of their matches as well, while Marley Trifunovic was on her way to winning the second set to even her match, when the game was called.
The NCAA Division II National Tournament will be held in Sanlando Park in Altamonte Spring, Florida. The 16 women's teams will have a practice day on Monday, May 16, with First Round scheduled for Tuesday, May 17. The time and opponent are yet to be determined.
