Bowling Green, KY – The two-seeded Patriots recorded their second consecutive shutout as they knocked off three-seeded Cumberland University 4-0 in the semifinals of the Mid-South Conference Tournament on Thursday. With the win, UC advances to the championship match for the fourth time in the last five seasons.
UC grabbed an early 1-0 lead after taking two of three doubles matches to secure the point. The Patriots top doubles team of
Karen Kondo and
Victoria Zarate earned the first victory, defeating Lara Zugasti and Kaede Hatano 7-5 at #1 doubles.
Liu YuFang and
Mahiro Hara also emerged victorious, taking down Juanita Mendez and Emilia Nowak 6-2 at the #2 spot.
Kondo added to her successful day with a singles victory to give the Pats a 2-0 advantage. The senior collected identical scores of 6-2, 6-2 over Elina Sungatullina at the #1 spot.
Marina Nagai extended the UC lead to 3-0 after defeating Valentina Mendez in straight-sets 6-0, 6-2 at #2 singles.
Hara clinched the overall team victory with her second point of the match at the #4 spot. The Second Team All-Conference selection won her match against Madeleine Darud, 6-4, 6-2, sending Cumberlands to the finals.
Cumberlands moves on to the MSC Tournament Championship where they will face top-seeded Lindsey Wilson. The match is set to begin at 1 p.m. ET / noon CT.
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