BRUNSWICK, Ga. – The Fire opened their postseason campaign in dominant fashion, sweeping Ave Maria University 4-0 to advance to the Sun Conference Women's Tennis Semifinals.
Southeastern University (17-6) was led by standout performances from
Irene Lopez and
Irene Parigi, who each picked up two wins—one in doubles and one in singles—to propel SEU past the Gyrenes.
Lopez teamed up with
Carlotta Nonnis Marzano to take down Ave Maria's top doubles pairing of Clara Penido and Mariangel Nunez, 6-3. On court three, Parigi and
Isabella Bolivar Garces mirrored that result, defeating Abigail Rich and Maria Hofmeister 6-3 to clinch the team doubles point.
In singles action,
Alessia Ciampi kept the momentum going with a commanding 6-1, 6-0 victory over Meana Mourad at the No. 6 position. Lopez followed with a 6-0, 6-2 win over Hofmeister at No. 5 singles, before Parigi sealed the match with a 6-0, 6-2 win over Danna Nunez at the No. 4 spot.
Several matches were left unfinished due to the clinch:
- In doubles, Ciampi and Neleah Neiberline held a 5-4 lead over Danna Nunez and Elizabeth Pince at the No. 2 spot.
- In singles, Nonnis Marzano and Penido had split sets (6-1, 1-6) before play was halted at No. 1.
- Bolivar Garces led Mariangel Nunez 6-2, 3-3 at No. 2.
- Neiberline was ahead 7-5, 3-1 over Rich at No. 3 singles when the match was called.
With the victory, the Fire advance to tomorrow morning's semifinal, where they will face No. 7 SCAD-Savannah at 10:30 a.m. The matchup provides a chance for redemption following a 4-0 regular-season loss to the Bees on April 12.
