GREENWOOD, Ind.
– The No. 29-ranked University of Indianapolis women's tennis team cemented themselves a spot in Altamonte Springs, Fla. for the NCAA DII Championship tournament. The Greyhounds defeated the No. 5-seed Grand Valley State Lakers by a score of 4-2 in the regional final to punch their ticket, marking the sixth visit in program history.
Tyffaine Pais played double clincher for the Hounds, not only clinched the doubles point alongside Ana Hollweg but clinching the whole match at the top of the card with her three-set-thriller victory.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Hounds, who have found their stroke in doubles action, kept that rolling in their first match of the NCAA tournament. Facing a tough Laker's squad, the Hounds rattled off a quick win at court three with Valentine Colin and Jimena De Pablos Hernando controlling the pace the entire time. Not far behind them was Pais and Hollweg who etched out a 6-2 win to give the Hounds the point.
With a lead, the Hounds looked to keep it rolling, but the Lakers thought otherwise. They quickly evened the score at court four, scoring a big 6-0, 6-0 win that switched the momentum towards their side. Colin, however, answered right back with a singles victory at court five, going 6-3, 6-1 to give the Hounds a big lead.
There was a calm from there as the Lakers and Hounds battled. Benedetta Sensi, playing at court two, was the one to break the silence, grabbing a big 6-2, 6-4 win to make it 3-1 Hounds.
Despite a loss at court five in a tough tiebreaker for Hernando, the wind was at the Hounds back – both literally and physically – and it was felt at Center Grove. Hollweg, after dropping the first set forced a massive third set, leaving it up to either her or Pais to end it.
It ended up being the latter as Pais, after a big comeback in set two, scored a dominant 6-2 victory in set three to put the Hounds on top.
UP NEXT
The Hounds will be making a return to the NCAA DII Championship down in Almonte Springs, Fla. They await to see who they will face in their first match on Monday, May 20.