ROME, Ga. -- Saturday evening featured some of the best women's tennis in the NAIA. The Fire battled in the semifinals with the second-seed, and NAIA No. 3 Lindsey Wilson. Despite a late push from SEU the Blue Raiders stood firm, claiming a 4-2 victory to advance to the ITA Indoor Nationals Team Championship.
Doubles went the way of the Blue Raiders, as they quickly claimed the first and third flights, earning the doubles point. The second flight went unfinished, showing
Isabella Bolivar Garces and
Irene Parigi leading the No. 5 overall doubles team (Mayra Gisone/Martina Cortal) 4-3.
Singles is where the Fire proved their rank. Despite a quick victory from No. 10 Javier Verdugo over
Alessia Ciampi at line four (6-0, 6-0), SEU struck back as
Isabella Bolivar Garces rolled to a straight sets (6-4, 6-1) win over No. 20 Martina Cortal at line two.
With the score 2-1 in the favor of Lindsey Wilson,
Leonie Schondelmaier would tie things up, holding off Mariangeles Mateu (6-4, 7-6 (7-2)) on the third line.
That was when the Blue Raiders shut the door. A win on line six from No. 29 Hang Nguyen over
Aurora Compagnucci (6-3, 6-3) gave Lindsey Wilson match point. The top line sealed the fate of the Fire, as No. 41 Mayra Gisone dispelled a valiant effort from SEU's
Martina Picardi (6-2, 2-6, 6-4). Claiming the victory, 4-2, over SEU.
The lone match unfinished featured No. 32 Blanca Viega and the Fire's
Irene Parigi, in which the Blue Raider held a (6-4, 4-3 lead).
Despite the loss, the Fire will battle with No. 5 and fourth-seeded Tennessee Wesleyan for third place tomorrow at 2:30 p.m.
