For the third consecutive season and fifth time overall the Emory University Women's Tennis program captured the ITA National Indoor Championship as the No.-2 ranked Eagles defeated No.-1 ranked Claremont-Mudd-Scripps, 5-3, in the championship match Sunday afternoon at the Ensworth School in Nashville, TN.
The Eagles began the match with a convincing win at third doubles as sophomore Stephanie Taylor and freshman Christina Watson defeated CMS' Lee and Berger 8-1. Following an 8-3 defeat by sophomores Ysabel Gonzalez-Rico and Defne Olcay at first doubles, Emory recorded an 8-3 win at second doubles by senior Daniel Lopez and freshman Emma Cartledge to head into singles in front 2-1.
The Athenas' Carolina Cox topped Taylor, 6-3, 6-1 at fifth singles to open singles play but Olcay was able to help the Eagles regain the lead with a 6-4, 6-4 victory on court two.
The teams traded wins at third and fourth singles with freshman Jessica Fatemi winning 7-6, 6-2 on court six and freshman Lauren Yoon dropped a hard-fought three-setter on court three 6-1, 1-6, 7-6 to turn the attention to courts one and four with the Eagles leading 4-3.
Cartledge was able to seal the championship for the Eagles at fourth singles, defeating Sydney Lee in straight sets 7-6, 6-4. At the conclusion of the match, Gonzalez-Rico was in front on court one 3-6, 7-6, 3-1.
Emory, which stands at 6-0 so far in the spring, hosts Millsaps College this Friday, March 8th at the Woodruff PE Center courts. First serve is set for 3:00 PM.