PHILADELPHIA, Pa. - - The Wilmington University women's tennis team picked up a key Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference victory on Friday, defeating Chestnut Hill, 6-1, at the CHC Tennis Courts.
The win completes the season sweep of the Griffins (7-4, 5-3 CACC), as the Wildcats (7-1, 7-1 CACC) can now only finish first or second in the league with two matches remaining. The team has already clinched a berth into the CACC Tournament later this month.
The Wildcats once again swept the doubles matches on Friday, getting started by Marley Trifunovic and Alva Norberg with a 6-3 win at No. 3. Jess Purdy and Larize Nel picked up the point with a 6-2 win at No. 2 before Valentina Ivankovic and Fenna Swaan completed the sweep with a 6-2 win at No. 1.
Jess Purdy carried the momentum into singles, picking up another point for the Wildcats with a 6-1 and 6-0 win at No. 1 singles. Alva Norberg finished off Nele Haag, 6-2 and 6-0, at No. 4 singles to make it 3-0, and then Valentina Ivankovic earned the Wildcats the victory with a 6-1 and 6-2 victory at No. 3.
After dropping the first set, Kushi Khandoji battled back to win the second set, but Chestnut Hill was able to get on the board by winning the third set superset, 10-5. Fenna Swaan dropped the opening set at No. 6 as well, but battled back to win, 6-1, to force a third set super set. Swaan took the match with a 10-3 third set. Marley Trifunovic took the opening set, 6-2, but the Griffins battled back to force a third set. Marley Trifunovic picked up the victory with a 10-6 super set to settle the score, 6-1.
The win sets up a match with Jefferson on Monday for first place. The Wildcats and Rams are both 7-1 in the CACC. The match in Philadelphia is set for a 2:00 p.m. first serve on Monday.