MIAMI SHORES, Fla. — Mississippi College women's tennis opened NCAA South Region I play with authority Friday morning, defeating West Alabama 4-1 at the Buccaneer Tennis Center to advance to the second round.
The Choctaws (23-1) secured the doubles point and followed with three straight singles victories to clinch the match against the Tigers (19-5) in the regional semifinal.
Mississippi College dropped the opening doubles match at No. 1, but quickly responded. Rocio Martinez and Anna Hudson evened the point with a 6-4 win at No. 2 doubles before Katharina Weber and Molly Bennett delivered the clincher at No. 3 with a 7-5 victory.
Carrying momentum into singles, the Choctaws dominated the top of the lineup. Emily Buchanan set the tone with a straight-sets win at No. 1 singles, 6-3, 6-4, over Shaira Rivera. Martinez followed with a 6-4, 6-4 victory at No. 2 to give MC a 3-0 lead.
West Alabama picked up its lone point at No. 3 singles, but Hudson sealed the match shortly after with a 7-5, 6-3 win at No. 4 to push the Choctaws into the next round.
Matches at No. 5 and No. 6 singles went unfinished.
With the win, Mississippi College advances to face top-seeded and defending national champion Barry on Saturday morning. First serve is set for 9 a.m. CT / 10 a.m. ET in Miami Shores.
The matchup marks a major test for the Choctaws as they continue their NCAA Tournament run against one of the nation's premier programs.
