NORTHFIELD, Minn. – With a 5-2 victory over nationally-ranked Gustavus Adolphus College in the finals of the MIAC Playoffs, the Carleton College women's tennis team not only remained undefeated but also secured the conference's automatic bid to the upcoming NCAA Championships.
"I'm super happy to end the conference season in such a positive way but even happier about the progress we made as tennis competitors," said Carleton head coach
Luciano Battaglini. "Just like in the regular season, this was another great college match. Gustavus always competes hard, and you need to play well if you want to have a chance to beat them. Our team was able to implement on a few things we have been working on since last fall, and it was nice to see them grow as tennis players."
Last weekend, Carleton (20-0) claimed its ninth all-time MIAC regular-season crown and sixth in the last 12 years. Now the Knights have secured their sixth MIAC Playoffs title over that same span (also 2012, 2013, 2014, 2019, 2022).
This time, the Knights earned a 2-1 lead after doubles.
Mariam Nechiporuk (So./Portland, Ore./Lake Oswego) and
Ingrid Smith (So./Edina, Minn./Edina) gave Carleton its first team point with an 8-6 triumph at No. 2 doubles. The duo is now 14-0 on the season.
Gustavus (18-13), which entered the day ranked No. 37 in the nation by the ITA, leveled the match with an 8-6 victory atop the lineup.
Amanda Black (So./Libertyville, Ill./Libertyville) and
Alise Pedersen (Sr./San Anselmo, Calif./The Branson School) prevailed in a tiebreaker, 8-7 (7-3) at No. 3 doubles.
In singles, five of the six matches required either a second-set tiebreaker or third set to determine a victor.
Gustavus knotted the score at 2-2 with a straight-set victory at No. 4 singles, but
Amelia Asfaw (So./Seattle, Wash./Seattle Prep) pushed Carleton back in front with her 6-1, 7-6 (7-1) win at No. 1 singles.
Zoe Rose (So./Tacoma, Wash./Charles Wright Academy) followed by winning in similar fashion at No. 6 singles, prevailing by a 6-1, 7-6 (8-6) tally to improve to 14-1 this season.
Nechipourk and Smith both dropped their opening sets at No. 3 and No. 4 singles, respectively, but each claimed the second set to force their matches to go the distance. Ultimately, both contests were left unresolved when
Mary Frances Hose (Jr./Columbia, Mo./Rock Bridge) clinched the deciding fifth team point for Carleton with her 11th consecutive victory at No. 2 doubles.
Hose took the opening set 6-3 but trailed 5-2 in the second before wresting the momentum away from her opponent by winning the next four games. Eventually the second set went to the tiebreaker. Hose grabbed the early lead and went on to secure a 6-3, 7-6 (7-3) result that sealed the team victory for the Knights.
Up Next for the Knights
Carleton's next opponent will be announced when the full 49-team bracket for the NCAA Championships is released on NCAA.com by 11:00 a.m. CT on Monday, May 1. The first round of the national tournament is scheduled for Friday, May 5.
