CHARLESTON, W.Va. - The IUP women's tennis team opened its NCAA tournament run with a 4-2 victory over Slippery Rock in the semifinal round of the Atlantic regional Monday afternoon at the University of Charleston.
The Crimson Hawks improved to 17-0 in NCAA regional play since 2011 and secured a spot in the regional final. They'll square off against top-seed and host Charleston Tuesday at 11 a.m. The winning team will punch a ticket to the NCAA's final championship site next week in Surprise, Arizona.
Making its 10th NCAA appearance in the last 12 years, IUP earned the doubles point by making quick work of Slippery Rock's Nos. 2 and 3 pairings.
Joanna Stralka saw her first action since IUP's season opener on February 13 due to injury, and paired with
Laura Dunarova at the third doubles spot for a 6-2 win.
Karolin Kirchtag and
Katy Graydon won at two by a score of 6-1.
The Crimson Hawks grabbed a 3-0 lead with back-to-back singles victories.
Lydia Vlachou scored the first singles win, 6-1, 6-1 at the four spot. Dunarova followed with a 6-0, 6-4 win at five.
After Slippery Rock wins at the Nos. 1 and 6 spots to make it a 3-2 match,
Katy Graydon clinched the IUP win by defeating Lacey Cohen 6-4, 6-4 at No. 3.
IUP and Charleston battled earlier this season with the Hawks falling 4-3 in West Virginia on April 10.
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