LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The No. 15 Cameron University women’s tennis team closed out its season today when it fell 5-2 to No. 8 California University of Pennsylvania in the Round of 16 in the NCAA National Championships.
The Vulcans got off to a quick start by clinching two of the three doubles contests. The pair of Annabel Pieschl and Jade Pondicas defeated the CU duo of Antonia Moberg and Florenica Tornero 8-1 at the No. 3 spot. The No. 20 tandem of Amanda Moberg and Sara Londono put up a good fight at the top doubles slot, but were taken out 8-4 by the No. 4 team of Martina Rubesova and Franziska Steinhardt.
The Black and Gold, however, did pick up a win at the No. 2 position. The twosome of Julia Puckhaber and Elvira Sholles, who have seen enormous success all season, dismissed their counterparts of Ramona Czakon and Anastassiya Zherdeva in an 8-4 decision.
In singles action, the two squads were neck and neck, but it was the Vulcans who came out on top. Tornero and Antonia Moberg surrendered their matches 6-3, 6-0 and 6-1, 6-0 respectively, allowing Cal U to go up 4-1.
Sholles, who has dropped just two matches this year, continued the excellent play she has been exhibiting all season. The CU junior worked her way past Pondicas and collected the 7-5, 6-4 win at the No. 4 spot.
Amanda Moberg and Londono were both tied a set all in their matches at the No. 1 and No. 3 slots with the potential to secure victory in the third set, but before the women could close out their matches, CU’s Puckhaber was taken out at the No. 2 position by Pieschl. Puckhaber was up a double break in her first set, but went on to fall 7-5, 6-2, permitting the Vulcans to grasp the 5-2 win.
As a reward for their success, the Cal U women will face off against defending champions Barry University, whose squad is ranked second in the nation.
Cameron tennis coach James Helvey said, despite the loss, he is pleased with the efforts his women put forth all season and is satisfied with all they have accomplished.
“I am really, really proud of my team. They fought hard all season long,” he said.
The Aggie women finished the season with a 23-5 record, making it the winningest season in the program’s history. Additionally, this season marked the second consecutive year in which the women earned a trip to the NCAA National Championships.
