Box Score Updated Bracket
ROME, Ga. - The University of the South women's tennis team knocked off Babson College, 5-0, in the second round of the 2021 NCAA Division III Women's Tennis Championships on Saturday from the Rome Tennis Center.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP
Final Score: Sewanee (9-2) 5, Babson (4-1) 0
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HOW IT HAPPENED
-After a little over an hour delay at the start due to the Skidmore/North Central match, the Tigers did not let that stop them in doubles action. Looking for a sweep in doubles, the No. 2 team of Natalia Nassar and Nicole Nowak rallied from a 5-3 deficit to win five of the next six en route to an 8-6 set victory, and, more importantly, a 3-0 match lead.
-At the other two doubles flights, Catherine Owen and Emma Smith improved to 5-2, while Caroline Adams and Jordan Besh are now 5-0.
-In singles, Nowak won the No. 5 point for her seventh win of the season, 6-2, 6-1.
-The clincher came at the No. 6, as Jordan Besh secured her fifth win of the season as she downed Mary Kille of Babson, 6-1, 6-1.
NOTES AND NUGGETS
-Saturday's win was the 19th NCAA Tourney win in program history for the women's tennis program at the University of the South. The Tigers earn their first postseason win since the team's second round win over Washington (Mo.) at the 2018 Championships.
QUOTABLES
Conchie Shackelford, Head Women's Tennis Coach
"Nicole and Natalia showed great poise at No. 2 doubles. Our first-year Tigers battled from a 3-5 deficit, and responded aggressively at the net to earn the win."
"Nic and J Besh remained on fire in singles and led the team today. Caroline faced a mirror image of her style of play as the competitors completed only two games as four of her teammates had finished first sets. But the theme today was enjoying "free baseball" and remembering the days when "We were Kings".
Catherine Owen, Senior Student-Athlete
"Our team feels as if every day, every match, every opportunity is a gift. We've waited a long time for this opportunity and it's an incredible feeling to be competing on the road with your closest friends at the National Championships."
SINGLES RESULTS
1. Emma Smith (SEWANEE) vs. Ashley Avery (BAB) 6-0, 5-1, unfinished
2. Natalia Nassar (SEWANEE) vs. Marissa Madison (BAB) 6-2, 1-0, unfinished
3. Catherine Owen (SEWANEE) vs. Adele Fernandez (BAB) 2-6, 2-5, unfinished
4. Caroline Adams (SEWANEE) vs. Juliette Moschella (BAB) 6-0, 2-1, unfinished
5. Nicole Nowak (SEWANEE) def. Jane Wang (BAB) 6-2, 6-1
6. Jordan Besh (SEWANEE) def. Mary Kille (BAB) 6-1, 6-1
DOUBLES RESULTS
1. Emma Smith/Catherine Owen (SEWANEE) def. Ashley Avery/Juliette Moschella (BAB) 8-2
2. Natalia Nassar/Nicole Nowak (SEWANEE) def. Adele Fernandez/Mary Kille (BAB) 8-6
3. Jordan Besh/Caroline Adams (SEWANEE) def. Jane Wang/Marissa Madison (BAB) 8-2
UP NEXT
Sewanee will advance to the third round and play Skidmore Sunday at 12:30 p.m. ET / 11:30 a.m. CT with a quarterfinal spot on the line. According to acquired records, the Tigers hold a 4-2 advantage in the all-time series versus the Thoroughbreds, and this will be the first appearance since 2005.
This will also be the third appearance in the NCAA Championships, with each team earning a win each. Sewanee's victory came in the 1989 Championships, 5-4, while Skidmore's 5-4 victory came in the quarterfinals in 1999.
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