BLOOMSBURG, Pa. – For the third consecutive season, the IUP women's tennis team was claimed the conference title, defeating Slippery Rock by a 4-1 score at the 2023 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) tournament championship on Sunday at Bloomsburg University.
It marks the second consecutive season the Crimson Hawks have knocked off Slippery Rock in the conference championship match, by an identical 4-1 margin. The win clinches an automatic bid to the Division II NCAA Championship, which begins with regionals from May 1-2.
IUP has virtually guaranteed a home match during the opening round of the Atlantic Region Tournament, listed second in the latest regional rankings at the conclusion of the regular season.
This marks the fifth all-time PSAC title for the IUP women's tennis program, all since 2017. The Hawks also went back-to-back in 2017 and 2018.
Sunday's victory was the 13th overall on the season for the Crimson Hawks and sixth straight dating back to early April. IUP also secured its second victory of the season against Slippery Rock, knocking off SRU by a 4-3 score indoors with a shorthanded lineup back in late March.
Katy Graydon clinched the match for IUP at No. 4 singles, earning PSAC Tournament MVP honors. Graydon defeated Nuria Martin Lopez ins et scores of 7-5 and 6-3.
IUP held on for the important doubles point with Graydon and
Karolin Kirchtag opening the doubles flight with a 6-2 triumph.
Natalie Kmoskova and
Joanna Stralka followed suit at No. 2 doubles with a 6-4 victory against G. del Val del Toro and Nuria Martin Lopez.
In singles action, Slippery Rock leveled the score at one with a win at the No. 2 flight. IUP regained the lead as
Lydia Vlachou posted a 6-4, 7-5 victory at No. 5 singles against Tina Slovak. Stralka battled for an extended first set win 7-6 (7-3) before taking control with a 6-2 win at the No. 3 flight of singles play.
Graydon closed out the victory with her match-clinching triumph.
Up Next
The NCAA DII Women's Tennis Selection Show airs on Monday, April 24 at 8:30 p.m. ET on NCAA.com. A link to the show will be on the front page of NCAA.com.
Follow
For up-to-date information, visit IUPAthletics.com and follow IUP women's tennis on Twitter @IUPCrimsonHawk and @IUPtennis.
