Box Score

THE RUNDOWN
TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – The accolades continue to build for the 2018 St. Edward's women's tennis team as they upset the No. 11 ranked team in Division II tennis, Northeastern State, 5-4 Sunday at the NSU Tennis Complex. The Hilltoppers rallied back in singles competition with a pair of three-set victories, giving the visiting team its 17^th consecutive win.
 
St. Edward's win over Northeastern State snaps a three-match skid in the all-time series, marking the first win since 2009 when the Hilltoppers defeated the RiverHawks, 5-1 in the NCAA Division II South Central Regional Tournament to advance to the NCAA DII Sweet 16.
 
It began with a clean sweep in doubles for the Hilltoppers (17-0) as they took a 3-0 match lead heading into singles play. The RiverHawks (7-3) stormed back however, reeling off four straight wins to take the lead and was one win shy from handing SEU its first loss of the season. However, with their backs against the wall, ELISA GUILLEN tied things for St. Edward's with a clutch three-set win over Karla Tomaic in the sixth flight (4-6, 7-5, 6-3) and VALENTINA MARTINEZ followed suit as she came from behind and defeated Betka Gombarova on court No. 4, 2-6, 6-4, 6-2, securing the win for the Hilltoppers. 
 
HIGHLIGHTS
• ELISA GUILLEN's win in singles marked the 50^th of her career.
• VALENTINA MARTINEZ and Guillen each recorded their 18^th doubles win on the season.
• BETH HAYWARD and Martinez defeated NSU's No. 15 Molly Worden and Tatjana, 8-3 on the tops doubles court.
• LAURA GALVAN and Guillen defeated Karla Tomaic and Mayra Jovic, 8-4 in the second doubles flight.
• MARISSA WILLIAMS and PAOLA CARPIO defeated Easton Parker and Chantal Nosievici, 8-4 on doubles court No. 3.
• SEU is 2-8 all-time vs. NSU.

THEY SAID IT
Head Coach Kendall Brooks initial thoughts on upsetting the No. 11 ranked team in the country…
"It's hard to put into words right now what my thoughts are exactly. I'm just so excited and proud of this group of girls. They have so much confidence and they never stop believing in themselves and each other."
 
Brooks on the breakdown of today's match…
"We were insistent on getting a good start and winning all three doubles again today was key. Then we lost the first set on every court and things could have easily gotten away from us, but they refused to be denied. Val [Martinez] and Elisa [Guillen] both came up so big for us today - both battling back to win in three sets to give us the match. Huge win for our team and program today."
 
WHAT'S NEXT
The Hilltoppers wrap-up it's three-match journey in the Sooner State with a noon match tomorrow vs. Oklahoma Baptist in Shawnee, Okla. Match results will be posted at GoHilltoppers.com at its conclusion.

Follow St. Edward's women's tennis all season long on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram using the handle @SEUWTennis.

GoHilltoppers.com