MILWAUKEE --- Two weeks after falling to NAIA No. 25-ranked Cardinal Stritch University 4-2, the University of St. Francis women's tennis team flipped the score on the Wolves in claiming a 4-2 upset win on Wednesday to advance to the title match of the 2023 Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference Women's Tennis Tournament.
The Fighting Saints (14-7) now head to Notre Dame, Ind. on Friday to take on No. 18-ranked Holy Cross College (11-7), where hey will be seeking their first-ever tournament title. Just over a week ago, USF pulled off its first upset of the season, defeating Holy Cross 4-3 to gain a share of its first regular-season title since 1984.
The swing wins on Wednesday came at No. 2 doubles and No. 3 singles, where
Lieke Coenen was the driving force. She first teamed with
Anna Bintsarovskaya for a tight 7-6 (7-2) victory before dominating in her 6-2, 6-1 singles matchup.
In the previous meeting, Bintsarovskaya and Coenen lost 6-3 at No. 1 doubles prior to the latter falling 7-5, 6-4 at No. 3 singles.
Bintsarovskaya and Coenen sealed the doubles point on Wednesday after
Denisse Lizano and
Gabriella Noa won earlier at No. 1 doubles 6-2.
Bintsarovskaya and Noa claimed their second wins on the day at Nos. 1 and 2 singles, respectively. The former put USF up 3-0 with her 6-0, 6-2 victory. Noa then sealed the decision with her 6-2, 7-6 (7-5) win.     Â
Friday's winner advances to the NAIA National Championships May 16-20 at the Mobile Tennis Center in Mobile, Ala.
You can also keep up with everything happening around USF Athletics on Twitter @USFSaints.
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