FLORIDA BOUND! STAC Women's Tennis Punches Ticket to NCAA Finals with 4-3 Comeback Victory Over Jefferson

Posted: May 01, 2023

Bronxville, N.Y. - The St. Thomas Aquinas College Women's Tennis team punched its first-ever ticket to Orlando, Florida and the NCAA Division II Finals on Monday, courtesy of a 4-3 come-from-behind victory over Jefferson University in the East Regional Tournament held at Maximum Tennis Development Zone and hosted by STAC.

The victory moves the Spartans to 18-3 on the season, and is the team's fifth straight triumph. Meanwhile, the Rams close their 2023 campaign at 19-5.

STAC now awaits the seedings for the upcoming NCAA Division II Women's Tennis Finals, while will take place May 12-16 in Orlando, Florida. Rollins College and the Greater Orlando Sports Commission will serve as hosts.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Doubles victories by the maroon and gold at the number three (Amaia Balaguer Brau & Paula Palero) and number one (Ebba Rosberg & Samanta Villegas Robles) positions gave St. Thomas Aquinas the first team point of the day. However, the match would turn on its head to begin singles play with Jefferson picking up three consecutive victories at the #3, 2 and 1 spots to give the Rams a commanding 3-1 advantage, and only needing one more win to clinch the match.

What seemed to be an insurmountable task at hand for St. Thomas Aquinas College, became one of the finest examples of "Never Give Up, Never Surrender!" The gritty play of the four (Amaia Balaguer Brau), five (Samanta Villegas Robles) and six (Elita Silins) spots in the lineup picked up STAC and willed their team to victory. First, Balaguer Brau dispatched Manni Zhang 6-2, 6-1, before Villegas Robles tied the score at 3-3 with a 6-4, 6-0 triumph over Anna Morgillo. It all came down to the always-fiesty Silins, and she wasn't going home without putting up a fight. The Northampton, England native proceeded to dismantle Rose Huang 6-1, 6-1 to close things out and send the Spartans into an immediate celebration with dreams of heading to the Sunshine State becoming a reality.

STAC 4/JEFFERSON 3 - OFFICIAL RESULTS

DOUBLES

1. Ebba Rosberg & Samanta Villegas Robles (STAC) def. Nicole Hrbkova & Noelle Frenzel (JEFF), 6-4

2. Jemima Parkinson & Elita Silins (STAC) vs. Charly Egger & Emily Frost (JEFF), 6-6 (DID NOT FINISH)

3. Amaia Balaguer Brau & Paula Palero (STAC) def. Stanislava Norets & Manni Zhang (JEFF), 6-0

Order of Finish: 3, 1*

SINGLES

1. Noelle Franzel (JEFF) def. Ebba Rosberg (STAC) 6-4, 7-6 (9-7)

2. Nicole Hrbkova (JEFF) def. Viktoriia Pavlovets (STAC) 6-3, 7-6 (7-0)

3. Charly Egger (JEFF) def. Paula Palero (STAC) 6-2, 6-4

4. Amaia Balaguer Brau (STAC) def. Manni Zhang (JEFF) 6-2, 6-1

5. Samanta Villegas Robles (STAC) def. Anna Morgillo (JEFF) 6-4, 6-0

6. Elita Silins (STAC) def. Rose Huang (JEFF) 6-1, 6-1

Order of Finish: 3, 1, 2, 4, 5, 6*

#3 Jefferson Record: 19-5, 8-2 CACC

#2 STAC Record: 18-3, 5-0 ECC

THE ROCKHILL REPORT

"I am happy to have the opportunity to coach this group for a few more weeks", stated Head Coach Dan Rockhill. "They have made history at STAC and are responsible for elevating the program. I continue to be a blessed coach."

"Our depth really bailed us out in this one", remarked Rockill. "Amaia, Samy and Elita performed well under pressure and gave us the points we needed to advance. Our team recognizes that Jefferson was terrific today and competed admirably. They have our respect."

"We are going to work as hard as possible this week and take our shot in Orlando". "Let's see…"

"It was wonderful to host the regional and our team is grateful for the efforts of the STAC athletic administration, said Rockhill". "These events take a lot of preparation and teamwork to pull off and I am proud of the way in which the event was presented. I believe the student-athletes had a great experience and felt that they were at a championship level event."

UP NEXT

THE NCAA DIVISION II WOMEN'S TENNIS FINALS BABY!!