Altamonte Springs, Fla. - No. 11 NYIT women's tennis faced a hard-fought 5-0 loss to two-time defending National Champions Armstrong Atlantic Thursday morning in the NCAA Division II Tennis Championship Quarterfinals. With the loss, the Bears bring their season to a close with a program best 25-6 overall record.
The Pirates (27-1) took a 3-0 lead after doubles play with a quick 8-2 triumph at the No. 2 spot. However, the Bears did not walk away quietly. NYIT battled to an 8-4 loss at the No. 1 spot and an 8-3 loss a the No. 3 spot.
Armstrong then picked up two quick straight-set singles wins to clinch the semifinals berth. No. 2-ranked Aleksandra Filipovski topped No. 36-ranked Sara Burinato (Barcelona, Spain) 6-0, 6-2 at No. 1 singles. Then No. 15-ranked Marlen Hacke defeated No. 44-ranked Justyna Krol (Chrzanow, Poland) 6-1, 6-1 at No. 3 singles.
The quarterfinal round is the farthest the Bears have advanced in their four-season history. NYIT, ranked No. 1 in the East Region, won the regional title to advance to its second straight nationals appearance and then made program history of May 14 by winning their first Round of 16 Match with a 5-0 decision over St. Mary's of Texas.
The Pirates advance to face No. 6 Saint Leo, 5-2 winners over No. 12 California (Pa.), in the semifinals on Friday morning at 9 a.m.
Provided by the NYIT Sports Information Department.
