No. 2 Women’s Tennis Advances to Championship With 4-1 Win Over No. 3 St. John’s

CAYCE, S.C. – The No. 2 seeded Xavier women's tennis team beat No. 3 St. John's in the semifinals of the 2016 BIG EAST Women's Tennis Tournament, 4-1, to advance to the championship match Sunday. This is the second time in three years that Xavier has reached the championship.

Cristina Di Lorenzo and Alex Brinker jumped out to a quick 4-0 lead on Delia Arranz and Stephanie Elgegren to take control of the match before dropping a game. The duo then won the next two to earn the first doubles point for Xavier.

Lauren Ghidotti and Sophia Abelson dropped their doubles match, 6-3, splitting the doubles points, one match a piece.

Amina Ismail and Sydney Liggins kept it close with Natalia Vavulina and Zofia Stanisz. It was not until the match was tied at 4-3, advantage Xavier, where the duo won back-to-back games to win the match and clinch the doubles point for the Musketeers.

In singles, Abelson dropped her match at No. 5 singles, 6-1, 6-1, as Liggins won her match, 6-2, 6-2, to give Xavier the one point advantage over St. John's.

Ghidotti won her match over Delia Arranz in straight sets, 6-2, 6-2.

Seeking the fourth and final point, three Musketeers were left on the court: Di Lorenzo, Ismail and Brinker. All three women forced a third set in their respective matches. Ismail was the Musketeer to finish her match first after dropping the first set, 6-2, and winning sets two and three, 6-4, 6-3 respectively. Di Lorenzo and Brinker left their matches unfinished.

SINGLES RESULTS

1. Sydney Liggins def. Natalie Vavulina (SJU) 6-2, 6-2
2. Cristina Di Lorenzo vs. Anna Morozova (SJU) 2-6, 6-4, 5-5
3. Amina Ismail def. Irina Preotescu (SJU) 2-6, 6-4, 6-3
4. Alex Brinker vs. Zofia Stanisz (SJU) 3-6, 6-4, 2-5
5. Olaya Inclan Solis (SJU) def. Sophia Abelson 6-1, 6-1
6. Lauren Ghidotti def. Selia Arranz (SJU) 6-3, 6-3

Order of Finish: 5, 1, 6, 3

DOUBLES RESULTS

1. Sydney Liggins/Amina Ismail def. Natalia Vavulina/Zofia Stanisz (SJU) 6-3
2. Alex Brinker/Cristina Di Lorenzo def. Delia Arranz/Stephanie Elgegren (SJU) 6-1
3. Jade Collins/Anna Morozova (SJU) def. Lauren Ghidotti/Sophia Abelson 6-3

Order of Finish: 2, 3, 1

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS

FOR THE RECORD

The women are now 19-5 overall, 6-1 in BIG EAST play, 2-1 in BIG EAST semifinal action and 5-2 in BIG EAST Championship play.

UP NEXT

Xavier will be playing for a BIG EAST Championship Sunday at 9 a.m. against defending BIG EAST Champion DePaul.

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