MIAMI SHORES, Fla. — The No. 13 Mississippi College women's tennis team pulled off a thrilling 4-3 upset over No. 10 Embry-Riddle (Fla.) on Monday afternoon in the NCAA South Region Semifinals, advancing to Tuesday's regional final against No. 1 Barry University.
With the match tied at 3-3, junior Anna Hudson completed the comeback on court five, rallying from a set down to defeat Franziska Kremerskot 2-6, 6-3, 6-1 and seal the win for the Choctaws (21-6).
Mississippi College came out firing in doubles, grabbing the early 1-0 lead. Ricio Martinez and Hudson rolled to a 6-2 win at No. 3, while Jules De Mata and Emma Roberts clinched the point with a 6-3 win at No. 1 doubles.
The Eagles (17-8) responded by taking three of the first four singles matches to finish. Laura Cuesta Bret defeated Roberts in a tight 6-2, 7-6 (3) battle at No. 1, Jessica Hadipoernomo took down De Mata 6-2, 7-5 at No. 2, and Benedetta Sensi won 6-2, 6-2 at No. 4 over Katharina Weber.
Mississippi College's fight showed late. Alizee Ripolles delivered a 6-2, 6-4 win over Alessia Tripaldelli on court six to bring the Choctaws within one. Then, Ricio Martinez earned a straight-set win at No. 3 over Maissane Aik, 7-5, 6-4, tying the match at 3-3.
That set the stage for Hudson, who stormed through the final set to clinch the match and send MC to its first-ever NCAA regional final.
NCAA South Region Semifinal
#13 Mississippi College 4, #10 Embry-Riddle 3
Buccaneer Tennis Center – Miami Shores, Fla.
Doubles
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De Mata / Roberts (MC) def. Cuesta Bret / Carla Hierro (ERAU), 6-3
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Weber / Stockett (MC) vs. Aik / Sensi (ERAU), unfinished
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Martinez / Hudson (MC) def. Hadipoernomo / Egger (ERAU), 6-2
Doubles point: Mississippi College
Singles
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Cuesta Bret (ERAU) def. Roberts (MC), 6-2, 7-6 (3)
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Hadipoernomo (ERAU) def. De Mata (MC), 6-2, 7-5
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Martinez (MC) def. Aik (ERAU), 7-5, 6-4
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Sensi (ERAU) def. Weber (MC), 6-2, 6-2
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Hudson (MC) def. Kremerskot (ERAU), 2-6, 6-3, 6-1
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Ripolles (MC) def. Tripaldelli (ERAU), 6-2, 6-4
Mississippi College advances to the NCAA South Region Final and will face No. 1 Barry University on Tuesday with a trip to the NCAA Division II National Championships on the line.
