Altamonte Springs, Fla. – Straight-set wins from the bottom half of Lynn University's singles lineup on Wednesday helped the third-ranked Fighting Knights clinch a 5-1 victory over 13th-ranked University of Indianapolis in the opening round of the 2017 NCAA Division II National Championship. Following a 2-1 advantage after doubles, the Blue and White closed out the match at the four, five and six singles flights to make their return to the national quarterfinals.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: Lynn 5, UIndy 1
Records: #3 Lynn (22-2), #13 UIndy (18-4)
Location: Sanlando Park | Altamonte Springs, Fla.
All-time Series: Lynn leads 3-0
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HOW IT HAPPENED:
- Lynn started off a bit slow in doubles action, but eventually rallied for a 2-1 edge.
- The 11th-ranked pair of Diana Bogolii and Grace Mpassy improve to 16-0 on the season at No. 2 as the Fighting Knights' pair grabbed the first point, 8-2.
- Third-ranked Rosalie Willig and Stefanie Stemmer trailed early at No. 1 doubles but pulled out an 8-6 triumph over 14th-ranked Hanna Volikova and Florence Renard.
- The Greyhounds notched their lone point on the day with an 8-5 win at No. 3 doubles.
- In singles play, it was the bottom half of the lineup the quickly sealed the deal.
- Tereza Hejlova tallied the first solo point with a 6-1, 6-1 win at No. 6.
- Martina Gledacheva finished immediately after at No. 5, 6-0, 6-2.
- Stemmer picked up her second win of the day and clinched the match for the Fighting Knights with a 6-3, 6-1 triumph at the No. 4 flight.
- Bogolii won the opening set at No. 3 and was leading in the second. The Greyhounds won the first set at the top two singles flights.
BEYOND THE BOXSCORE:
- The Blue and White return to the national quarterfinals after a one-year hiatus. They are looking for their first semifinal berth since a national runner-up finish in 2011.
- It was just the third time this season that the Fighting Knights didn't win all three doubles matches. They hold a 69-3 record on the year.
- Gledacheva suffered her first doubles loss of the season (14-1).
- Lynn played UIndy at home during the regular season, posting an 8-1 win. The Greyhounds finish the 2017 season with an 18-4 record as the Fighting Knights dealt them half of their losses on the year.
UP NEXT:
Lynn will square off against fourth-ranked and Southeast Region I champions Columbus State in the NCAA National Quarterfinals tomorrow, Thursday, May 11 at 9 a.m. from Sanlando Park. The two teams met early on in the 2017 season with Lynn recording a 5-0 victory.
