May 9, 2008
Northwest Women’s Tennis Wins Regional Championship
MARYVILLE, Mo.—Northwest Missouri State’s women’s tennis team punched its ticket to the NCAA national tournament in Houston, Texas, after topping Emporia State 5-2 in the North Central Regional Championship match Friday at Frank Grube Courts.
The Bearcats have won six straight regional titles and will make their seventh overall appearance in the national tournament.
Jordan Lipira’s come-from-behind victory at No. 3 singles earned the Bearcats’ their fifth point. She topped Amanda Morris, the 14th-ranked player in the region, 2-6, 6-3, 6-3.
Kristina Vucenov earned a straight-set victory at No. 1 for her 30th singles win of the season. Vucenov (30-4) beat Marcela Bayon 6-1, 6-0. Lina Gomez gave Northwest a 4-1 lead with a 6-1, 6-1 win against the Hornets’ Molly Bowman at No. 4 singles.
The Bearcats took a 2-1 lead after taking two of three doubles points. Vucenov and Gomez teamed to win 8-1 at No. 3 doubles. Lipira and partner Veronica Castilla won 8-3 at No. 2.
Harris County Sports Authority and Rice University will host the 16-team national tournament May 14-17. Northwest (23-4) will take on the winner of the Barry Bracket Wednesday, May 14, at 10:30 a.m.
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