AUSTIN, Texas – The Heartland Conference Tournament continued Saturday morning at the South Austin Tennis Courts. The St. Edward's Women's Tennis team finished their semifinal match against UA Fort Smith, winning 5-2 before playing in the championship against Dallas Baptist. In the championship match, St. Edward's beat Dallas Baptist 5-2 capturing the 2012 Heartland Conference Title.

St. Edward's dropped two matches in doubles play during its semifinal match with UA- Fort Smith, digging themselves a 2-1 hole heading into singles play. The Hilltoppers won their No. 2 doubles match with teammates Paige Rachel and Rafaela Haegele defeating Amy Belanger and Stanka Harvanova, 8-3. St. Edward's would quickly make up for their one-point deficit by capturing the next four points in singles competition.

The Hilltoppers won at No.1 singles with freshman Alexandra Khadzhyan defeating Heartland Conference Most Valuable Player Monica Pieratt, 7-5, 6-2. At No. 2 singles, Rachel beat Fort Smith's Abby Whittemore, 7-6, 6-2. Also, St. Edward's senior Audrey Tompkins won her match 6-4, 6-1 against Stanka Harvanova, 6-4, 6-1. Lastly, Haegele won a point for the Hilltoppers defeating Masa Podunavac, 6-2, 3-6, 6-2, in three sets at No. 4 singles. This 5-2 comeback win over Fort Smith gave St. Edward's a berth in the finals where they took on Dallas Baptist.

In the finals against DBU, the Hilltoppers came out strong winning the No. 2 and No. 3 doubles matches to gain a 2-1 advantage. Winning at No. 2 doubles for St. Edward's was Rachel and Haegele, who defeated Katie Daugherty and Leah Rutt, 8-1. Then at No. 3 doubles, Hilltopper teammates Mary Bain and Francesca Chohor earned an 8-5 victory over Leah Smith and Lexi Yeado 8-5.

St. Edward's headed into singles play needing three victories to secure the Heartland Conference Championship. Senior Heather Brien wasted no time in defeating Arianne Goddard, 6-3, 6-0, to bring the Hilltoppers one point closer to victory. Up 3-1, St. Edward's captured another point from Rachel, who defeated Leah Rutt, 6-0, 6-3, at No. 2 singles. Dallas Baptist would take the next point at No.1 with Natalie Gennissen beating Khadhzyan, 6-4, 6-3. Then, Tompkins took matters into her own hands, defeating Hannah Innes, 6-4, 7-6, in a hard-fought match to give the Hilltoppers the victory and the Conference Championship.

“All of the hard work throughout the season led up to today and the girls played great. We are competing at a high level and are ready for regionals,” said Coach Niemeyer after winning the Championship.

St. Edward's will now compete next week in the South Central Regional Tournament. The site has yet to be determined.