Score: No. 1 Keiser Seahawks 4, No. 5 Tennessee Wesleyan Bulldogs 1
Records: No. 1 Keiser (2-0), No. 5 Tennessee Wesleyan (2-1)
Venue: Rome Tennis Center
Location: Rome, Ga.
No. 1 Keiser women's tennis advanced to the ITA NAIA National Women's Team Indoor Championship finals with a commanding 4-1 victory over No. 5 Tennessee Wesleyan in the semifinals. The Seahawks captured the doubles point on courts one and three before racing to their three singles wins.
- The Bulldogs got on the board first in singles with a win on court three
- Couto countered with a dominant 6-0, 6-1 win over Tsuji on court five
- No. 1 V. Apisah cruised past Ruslana Kovalenko 6-1, 6-3 on court one to give Keiser the 3-0 advantage
- It was then a race between No. 19 Melnikova and Sahnis for the final point of the day
- No. 19 Melnikova got it done first, defeating No. 24 Alcala 6-1, 6-2 on court two to clinch the 4-1 win for the Seahawks
- Sahnis was up 6-2, 5-2 at the end of the match while Grydnieva was also up a set on court six
When asked about today's result, Head Coach
Daniel Finn had this to say: "That's a solid team win. I thought the girls did a good job of finding ways to win really crucial points when they had to. It wasn't a really great start in doubles. We came out a little bit flat and slow and allowed Tennessee Wesleyan to get into the match, but the girls rebounded really well and took care of the business there.
On winning the doubles point: "It was really important to get that point, even knowing that everybody knew they weren't playing their best. The energy improved a ton today and I think that was a big difference in the match."
On the next opponent: "This tournament, and every match that we play all year, is going to be about us. We're not going to let it be about anybody else. If we can stay relentless and disciplined and focus on what we can do and our next-point mentality, we will be fine."
Melnikova on clinching doubles: "I think it was really important. Both courts two and three were going really close, and getting that point helped us not only then, but it was a good start for singles.
Everybody was pumped up, of course, and getting that doubles point was really important today."
On her own play: "I think I played well today. I played my game. I was aggressive.
I was very loud from the start, and for me it was the first time clinching singles, so I'm really happy. I'm really happy to do it for Keiser. Let's go Seahawks."
The Seahawks will face the winner of No. 3 Lindsey Wilson and No. 8 Southeastern in the ITA NAIA National Women's Team Indoor Championship on Sunday, February 8. First serve is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.
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