Women's Tennis Defeats St. John's, 4-3, in BIG EAST Semifinal

Sunday, April 21

Cayce, S.C.

1:30 PM

Xavier University

St. John's

BIG EAST Semifinal vs. SJU celebrationBIG EAST Semifinal vs. SJU celebration

Photo by: John A. Carlos II

Women's Tennis Defeats St. John's, 4-3, in BIG EAST Semifinal

04.21.19 | Women's Tennis

Box Score

Musketeers return to BIG EAST Championship for third time in school history

By: Brandon Eckman, Xavier Athletic Communications

CAYCE, S.C. - Xavier women's tennis collected another win on Sunday in the semi-final round of the BIG EAST Tennis Championships after defeating No. 4 St. John's, 4-3, at the Cayce Tennis and Fitness Center. The Musketeers matched a school record 22 wins in the victory over the Red Storm and will return to the BIG EAST Tennis Championship for the third time in school history. Xavier will look to win their second BIG EAST Tennis title on Monday and is seeking their first since the 2015-16 season.

"A huge team win for us today," said senior Sophia Abelson. "It was great to get revenge against St. John's from last year! The fight that the team showed was incredible and I'm so proud of everyone. The way we responded after a tough doubles point was awesome and showed a lot of grit. We aren't done yet though, one more to go against DePaul for the championship tomorrow!"
Sophia

THE MATCH

The Musketeers started out with a 6-2 victory in the No. 3 doubles spot from Hunter Roper and Rachael Reichenbach. The Red Storm then came back and won the next two doubles matchups to secure the doubles point.

Ahmeir Kyle and Emily Thomas fell, 6-1, in the No. 1 spot, while Sophia Abelson and Kaitlin Ruether fell, 6-4, in the No. 2 spot.

In singles play, Kaitlin Ruether put the Musketeers back on track with a 6-0, 6-2 win in the No. 6 spot, tying the score at 1-1. Sophia Abelson then gave Xavier a 2-1 lead following her 6-4, 6-3 victory in the No. 2 spot.

Ahmeir Kyle fell, 6-1, 6-4, in the No. 1 spot, giving St. John's their second point. The Red Storm then defeated Hunter Roper in the No. 5 spot, 6-3, 2-6, 6-2, to take a 3-2 lead.

In the No. 4 singles spot, Rachael Reichenbach defeated St. John's Najah Dawson, 7-5, 6-3, to tie the match at 3-3. The winning point then came down to the No. 3 singles spot. Emily Thomas defeated Oceane Garibal, 6-4, 5-7, 7-5, to give Xavier their fourth and final point. Xavier won the match 4-3 and will advance to the BIG EAST Women's Tennis Championship on Monday, April 22.

RESULTS: ST. JOHN'S

Singles competition

1. Jessica Livianu (SJU) def. Ahmeir Kyle (XU) 5-7, 6-1, 6-4
2. Sophia Abelson (XU) vs. Olaya Inclan Solis (SJU) 6-4, 6-3
3. Emily Thomas (XU) def. Oceane Garibal (SJU) 6-4, 5-7, 7-5
4. Rachael Reichenbach (XU) def. Najah Dawson (SJU) 7-5, 6-3
5. Delia Arranz (SJU) def. Hunter Roper (XU) 6-3, 2-6, 6-2
6. Kaitlin Ruether (XU) vs. Gabriela Tenorio (SJU) 6-0, 6-2

Doubles competition

1. Jessica Livianu/Najah Dawson (SJU) def. Ahmeir Kyle/Emily Thomas (XU) 6-1
2. Olaya Inclan Solis/Oceane Garibal (SJU) def. Sophia Abelson/Kaitlin Ruether (XU) 6-4
3. Hunter Roper/Rachael Reichenbach (XU) def. Delia Arranz/Gabriela Tenorio (SJU) 6-2

Match Notes:
Xavier Women's Tennis 22-2
St. John's Women's Tennis 13-7
Order of finish: Doubles (3, 1, 2); Singles (6, 2, 1, 5, 4, 3)
Match duration: 3:32

UP NEXT

The Musketeers will play No. 2 seeded DePaul on Monday, April 22 at 12:30 p.m in the BIG EAST Championship.