Women's Tennis Advances In NCAA Tournament
Big Rapids, Mich. - The Ferris State University women's tennis team advanced to the second round of the NCAA Division II Tournament with a 5-2 victory over Wayne State in opening-round action on Monday (May 2).
The Bulldogs topped the Warriors in the NCAA Division II Midwest Regional First Round match held indoors at the Ramblewood Tennis and Health Club in Grandville, Mich. The match was moved indoors due to high winds.
With the victory, the Bulldogs advance to the second round and will square off against fellow Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) rival Grand Valley State on Tuesday (May 3) in the regional title match at 12 p.m. (ET). Tuesday's tilt is slated to be held outdoors on GVSU's campus.
The winner of Tuesday's match will move on to the 16-team national championships field, which will be held May 11-14 in Altamonte Springs, Fla.
Ferris State improved to 20-4 overall this campaign with its third victory over Wayne State this campaign. FSU is making its 19th overall regional tournament appearance, including its second-straight showing.
The Bulldogs, who were ranked 42nd in the latest Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) Division II National Poll, trailed the 44th-ranked Warriors 2-1 after doubles play before rallying back to win the first four completed singles flights to take the win.
WSU posted wins at first and third doubles to grab the early advantage as FSU's lone tandem triumph was recorded by senior Alina Stanila and junior Melissa Flowers at the second flight.
However, in singles action, FSU swept the third, fourth, fifth and sixth positions to win the NCAA Tournament match. All four wins by senior Tiffany Rheynard, sophomore Tabitha Simpson, Flowers and junior Natalie Diorio came in straight-sets.
Stanila and senior Amy Ingle also led in the top two singles flights before the match was called after the Bulldogs earned the victory.
Wayne State wrapped up the 2010-11 season with a 15-8 overall record.
Below are the complete match results:
Ferris State 5, Wayne State 2
May 02, 2011 at Grandville, Mich. (Ramblewood Tennis & Health Club)
| Singles competition |
| 1. Alina Stanila (FS) vs. Sharon Gill (WS) 7-5, 3-0, unfinished |
| 2. Amy Ingle (FS) vs. Kristina Goranskaya (WS) 6-7, 6-3, unfinished |
| 3. Tiffany Rheynard (FS) def. Milena Vuksanovic (WS) 6-0, 6-3 |
| 4. Tabitha Simpson (FS) def. McCall Monte (WS) 6-0, 6-1 |
| 5. Melissa Flowers (FS) def. Debora Correa (WS) 6-2, 6-1 |
| 6. Natalie Diorio (FS) def. Tanya Joseph (WS) 6-3, 6-4 |
| Doubles competition |
| 1. Sharon Gill/Kristina Goranskaya (WS) def. Amy Ingle/Tiffany Rheynard (FS) 8-6 |
| 2. Alina Stanila/Melissa Flowers (FS) def. McCall Monte/Milena Vuksanovic (WS) 8-4 |
| 3. Caroline Gosman/Jessica Kruczek (WS) def. Tabitha Simpson/Natalie Diorio (FS) 9-7 |