Saint Leo, Fla.- Lynn University's sixth-ranked women's tennis team was eliminated from the Sunshine State Conference Tournament with a 5-2 loss to top-seed Barry in the semifinals on Friday afternoon. Lynn (17-4) now turns its focus towards the NCAA Tournament as the Fighting Knights prepare to make their 19th-consecutive appearance.
Barry (19-1) took a 3-0 lead in doubles play. Elisabeth Abanda and Kimmy Twelker defeated Martina Gledacheva and Grace Mpassy 8-1 at the No. 3 doubles spot. Third-ranked Linda Fritschken and Emma Onila defeated Carolina Cuevas and Alina Jane 8-3 for a 2-0 Bucs lead. No. 15 Valentine Confalonieri and Rosalie Willig were tied 5-5 with No. 9 Sonja Larsen and Ana Pain at the top of the lineup but the Buccaneers' top duo went on a 3-1 run to win the match 8-6 completing the doubles sweep.
Mpassy's 6-1, 6-0 win over Twelker at No. 6 singles gave the Blue & White their first point of the match trailing BU 3-1. No. 27 Fritschken defeated Jane 6-0, 6-2 at No. 4 singles to make it a 4-1 Bucs lead putting the defending SSC Champions one point away from returning to the final. Second-ranked Confalonieri cruised to a 6-2 first set win but Abanda gave her a challenge in the second set but the Sanremo, Italy, native emerged victorious with a 7-5 win bringing the match score to 4-2. Pain handed Gledacheva just her third singles loss of the season and first at the No. 5 spot in the lineup, 6-4, 7-5, which ended play securing Barry's win.
No. 26 Willig split her first two sets at the second spot in the lineup and Cuevas was in a tough battle with No. 3 Onila at the third slot after falling 7-6 in the first set.
Lynn's next step is the NCAA South Region Tournament where the Fighting Knights will prepare for their 19th-consecutive postseason appearance since joining the NCAA in 1997. Fans can follow postseason action by logging on to LynnFightingKnights.com. Don't forget to 'Like' us on Facebook and follow @Lynn_Knights on Twitter and Instagram for in-match updates.
