Box Score
Photo Gallery
Interview with Tournament MVP Lauren Giovannini
Belton, TX – The University of Texas at Tyler grabbed a lead after doubles and the Patriots rolled through the bottom of the singles draw to post a 5-1 win over the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor in the American Southwest Conference Women's Tennis Championship Match Sunday in Belton. The Patriots win their fourth straight ASC title with the victory and also clinch the league's automatic bid to the NCAA Division III National Championships. The loss ends the Cru's season at 13-6.
UT-Tyler took an early lead when Ashley Albro and Lauren Giovannini paired for an 8-2 win at #3 doubles. UMHB tied it when Mallory and Megan Aarhus posted an 8-2 win at #1 doubles. Jessica Blundell and Michelle Hagler combined for an 8-6 victory at #2 doubles to give the Patriots a 2-1 lead moving into singles play.
Morgan Wilkins topped Lauren Knight 6-1, 6-0 at #6 singles to give UT-Tyler a 3-1 lead and Brittany Trich's 6-4, 6-3 win at #5 singles made it 4-1. Blundell then clinched the match with a 6-2, 7-5 victory at #4 singles to close it out. The Patriots were also up one set in the other three singles matches when the match was decided.
Giovanni was named Tournament MVP and she was joined on the All-Tournament Team by teammates Albro, Blundell and Wilkins. Mallory and Megan Aarhus of UMHB were also named to the All-Tournament Team along with Jean-Jean Gwo of U.T.-Dallas and Lisa Mertz of Hardin-Simmons.
The Patriots will find out their pairing and match date when the NCAA Tournament field is announced Monday, May 9th. U.T.-Tyler sweeps the ASC men's and women's titles for the fourth straight year.
Results
Singles
Michelle Hagler (UTT) vs. Megan Aarhus (UMHB) 6-1, 5-5, unfinished
Sydni Hermsdorf (UTT) vs. Mallory Aarhus (UMHB) 6-3, 5-4, unfinished
Lauren Giovannini (UTT) vs. Rebecca Everett (UMHB) 6-3, 4-1, unfinished
Jessica Blundell (UTT) def. Megan Richardson (UMHB) 6-2, 7-5
Brittany Trich (UTT) def. AshLee Bilbo (UMHB) 6-4, 6-3
Morgan Wilkins (UTT) def. Lauren Knight (UMHB) 6-1, 6-0
Doubles
Aarhus/Aarhus (UMHB) def. Hermsdorf/Emily McRae (UTT) 8-2
Blundell/Hagler (UTT) def. Bilbo/Everett (UMHB) 8-6
Giovannini/Ashley Albro (UTT) def. Richardson/Penelope Kittel (UMHB) 8-2
