INDIANA, Pa. — IUP women's tennis battled windy conditions, illness and a determined Shaw squad Friday to secure a 5-0 victory in the opening round of the NCAA Atlantic Regional.
Although Shaw entered as the No. 7 seed in the region, the Bears pushed the Crimson Hawks throughout the match despite the final score.
Shaw held leads in several matches early, but IUP rallied to take control.
In doubles play, Shaw was unable to field a pairing at No. 3 doubles, leaving IUP needing just one victory to secure the doubles point. Hannah Beitat and Asel Calbay delivered that win at No. 2 doubles with a 6-1 result. Ifigeneia Kafka and Annemiek Sterk also held a 4-2 lead at the time the point was clinched.
The Crimson Hawks carried momentum into singles play, winning the opening set in all completed matches.
Kafka cruised to a 6-4, 6-1 victory, while Charliz Tabili battled through a tight first set before winning 7-6, then dominated the second set 6-0.
Lea von Kozierowski secured the clinching point after rallying from behind in the second set of a tightly contested match.
IUP advances to face the winner of Charleston and Frostburg State on Saturday at the Greensburg Racquet Club. First serve is scheduled for 1 p.m.
