Denver, Colo. – A daunting first-round matchup against the defending national champions was too much to handle on Wednesday as the fifth-ranked Lynn University women's tennis team saw its season come to a close with a 5-1 setback to third-ranked Armstrong State University in the opening round of the NCAA Division II National Championships.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: Armstrong State 5, Lynn 1
Records: #3 Armstrong State (29-1), #5 Lynn (22-4)
Location: Gates Tennis Center | Denver, Colo.
All-time Series: ASU leads 19-10
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HOW IT HAPPENED:

• The Fighting Knights got off to a slow start in doubles but fought their way back at No. 1 & 3, ultimately stealing one point and limiting Armstrong's lead to 2-1 heading into singles.
• The Pirates posted an 8-0 win at No. 2 doubles before fending off a surging Lynn squad to take the top flight, 8-5. 
• For the second match in a row, Martina Gledacheva and Grace Mpassy came from behind and provided a clutch win in a tiebreaker at No. 3 doubles, 9-8 (7-5).
• Armstrong State then fired off three consecutive straight-set wins in singles competition to seal the 5-1 decision.
• At the top flight, Mpassy looked sharp as she posted a 6-1 win in the opening set and neared victory in the second against the fourth-ranked player in the nation.

BEYOND THE BOXSCORE:

• Lynn against Armstrong was the only first-round matchup featuring two top-eight teams.
• Coming into today, Lynn had won nine straight matches, including seven over nationally-ranked teams and four against the nation's top-six.
• Mpassy and Gledacheva won 14 of their 15 doubles matches this season when playing as a pair.
• The Blue & White boasted its second 22-win season over the past five years.
• The Pirates featured three top-10 singles players and four total in the national rankings.
• Half of Lynn's losses this season came at the hands of Armstrong State.
• The Fighting Knights have been knocked out of the national tournament by ASU two years in a row.
• Lynn is expected to return five of the six players on the roster as Alina Jane graduates as the only four-year senior.