LAKELAND, Fla. – The No. 5 Embry-Riddle women's tennis team (16-7, 6-3 Sunshine State Conference) finished out its appearance in the Sunshine State Conference Tournament, with a 4-0 loss to the No. 1 Nova Southeastern Sharks (21-4, 7-2 SSC) in the third-place match.
The doubles went to NSU, as a 6-2 victory by Julia Morales and Sofia Shing over
Kaylee Kirivong and
Jessica Christa Wira Hadipoernomo in the No. 2 slot as well as a 6-3 win by the No. 2-ranked pairing of Freya Davies and Natalie Espinal against the No. 13 duo of
Itxaso Blanco and
Laura Cuesta Bret in the No. 1 doubles gave the Sharks a 1-0 lead.
The Sharks doubled their lead to start the singles, as the No. 3-ranked Natalie Espinal scored a 6-0, 6-1 victory in the No. 1 matchup over the 23rd-ranked Blanco to go up 2-0. This became 3-0 after Ita Habekovic defeated
Alessia Tripaldelli 6-4, 6-0 at the No. 6 spot.
Victory was clinched for Nova Southeastern in the No. 2 singles, as the 13th-ranked Lexi Weir won 6-4, 7-6 (7-3 tiebreaker) against No. 47
Maja Issler.
Despite their loss, the Eagles hope to continue their season in NCAA II regional play. The 2024 NCAA II national tournament bracket will be announced at 8:30 p.m. on May 6.
