Women's Tennis Wins Fifth-Straight BIG EAST Title

Sunday, April 20

Cayce, S.C.

9 AM

Xavier University

Villanova (BIG EAST Championship)

Women's Tennis Wins Fifth-Straight BIG EAST Title

04.20.25 | Women's Tennis

Box Score Support Xavier Women's Tennis Results Photos

Musketeers earn sixth league title and bid to NCAA Championships in program history

By: Hayley Schletker, Xavier Athletic Communications

CAYCE, S.C. - Xavier women's tennis claimed the program's fifth-straight BIG EAST Championship with a 4-0 win over the No. 4 seed Villanova on Sunday morning at the Cayce Tennis & Fitness Club. The title is Xavier's sixth BIG EAST Championship overall, winning the league tournament in 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021 and 2016.

The Musketeers, the No. 2 seed in the tournament, moved to 14-8 overall with the win. Emily Flowers earned BIG EAST Most Outstanding Honors after going 3-0 for the tournament at the No. 4 spot.

With the win, the Musketeers earned the league's automatic bid to the NCAA Championship, Xavier's sixth appearance in the national tournament. The Musketeers await the NCAA Championship Selection Show, set for Monday, April 28, at 5 PM on NCAA.com.

The Match

In doubles play, Emily Flowers and Natalie Smitek combined for a 6-2 win on the No. 3 court in the first decision, and a 6-4 win on the No. 2 court for Elizabeth Pendergast and Madeleine Rexroat clinched the point for the Musketeers.

Xavier picked up the first two singles decisions in straight sets, with Abby Nugent winning on court No. 2, 6-1, 6-1, with her 14th single win of the season to make it a 2-0 lead. Emily Flowers added to her team-high singles win total, now with 18, with a 6-0, 6-2 win on the No. 4 court to make it a 3-0 lead for the Musketeers.

Madeleine Rexroat picked up her eighth-straight singles win, and 14th of her freshman season, taking a 6-3, 0-6, 6-2 victory on the No. 3 court to clinch the match and the BIG EAST Championship for the Musketeers at 4-0.

Results

Singles competition
1. Elizabeth Pendergast (XAV) vs. Sophia Edwards (NOVA) 7-6 (8-6), 5-4, unfinished
2. Abby Nugent (XAV) def. Olivia Corcoran (NOVA) 6-1, 6-1
3. Madeleine Rexroat (XAV) def. Maggie Gehrig (NOVA) 6-3, 0-6, 6-2
4. Emily Flowers (XAV) def. Miriam Gondorova (NOVA) 6-0, 6-2
5. Abigail Siminski (XAV) vs. Jenna Stevens (NOVA) 6-7 (4-7), 4-3, unfinished
6. Natalie Smitek (XAV) vs. Lauren Monti (NOVA) 2-6, 6-4, 5-0, unfinished

Doubles competition
1. Clara Owen/Abby Nugent (XAV) vs. Sophia Edwards/Miriam Gondorova (NOVA) 4-4, unfinished
2. Madeleine Rexroat/Elizabeth Pendergast (XAV) def. Olivia Corcoran/Jenna Stevens (NOVA) 6-4
3. Emily Flowers/Natalie Smitek (XAV) def. Maggie Gehrig/Lauren Monti (NOVA) 6-2

Match Notes:
Villanova 12-12
Xavier 14-8
Order of finish: Doubles (3,2); Singles (2,4,3)

VIDEO

Madeleine Rexroat clinches the 2025 BIG EAST Championship on the No. 3 court! pic.twitter.com/NNhW74y3Fc
— XU Women's Tennis (@XavierWTEN) April 20, 2025

Elizabeth Pendergast and Madeleine Rexroat clinch the doubles point for the Musketeers with a 6-4 win on court No. 2!

Xavier leads Villanova, 1-0. pic.twitter.com/1Smt3rlV8u
— XU Women's Tennis (@XavierWTEN) April 20, 2025

Xavier takes the first doubles decision, with Emily Flowers and Natalie Smitek winning court No. 3, 6-2! pic.twitter.com/LEsHyYyjWQ
— XU Women's Tennis (@XavierWTEN) April 20, 2025

PHOTOS

Women's Tennis Wins BIG EAST Championship by Xavier Musketeers on Exposure