NEWTOWN SQUARE, PA - Holy Family University earned a 6-1 decision over Philadelphia University this afternoon to win the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) Women's Tennis Team Championships at the Springton Tennis and Racquet Club in Newtown Square, PA. With the victory, the Tigers have earned the conference's automatic bid to the 2006-07 NCAA Division II Women's Tennis Championships, which will be held this May.

Holy Family was the top seed in the tournament and improved to 14-2 with the victory while the second-seeded Rams fell to 11-6.

Holy Family, under the guidance of second-year head coach Albert Stroble, started the day by winning all three doubles matches. Junior Lauren Neill and freshman Rupali Parekh won by an 8-6 margin at #1, while sophomores Quena Borres and Shakir Willett defeated junior Maddie Smith and freshman Christina Kettle, 8-3, at #2. Sophomore Liana Lui and freshman Melanie Pulsinelli finished things with an 8-4 triumph in the third spot.

Smith got Philadelphia a point with a win at first singles, upending Neill, 6-0, 6-1. Willett earned Holy Family's fourth point with a 6-1, 6-4 win at #4 singles over Beka Elliot, and Borres clinched the title with a 6-4, 6-0 victory at the #3 spot over senior Trish Ubil.

"This was a great overall effort," said Stroble after the victory. "Everyone contributed to this win, in addition to contributing all season long. This team has been a pleasure to coach and we are looking forward to competing in the NCAA Tournament in the spring."

The fall women's tennis season will come to a close this Friday and Saturday, October 20 and 21, at the CACC Individual Championships at the Arthur Ashe Youth Tennis Center in Philadelphia.

Holy Family University 6, Philadelphia University 1

Singles competition

1. Maddie Smith (PHILAU) def. Lauren Neill (HFU) 6-0, 6-1

2. Rupali Parekh (HFU) vs. K. Stracquontanio (PHILAU) 6-2, 6-3, unfinished

3. Quena Borres (HFU) def. Trish Ubil (PHILAU) 6-4, 6-0

4. Shakir Willett (HFU) def. Beka Elliott (PHILAU) 6-1, 6-4

5. Liana Lui (HFU) vs. Lori Pick (PHILAU) 7-5, 1-2, unfinished

6. Melanie Pulsinelli (HFU) def. Christina Kettle (PHILAU) 6-2, 6-3

Doubles competition

1. Lauren Neill/Rupali Parekh (HFU) def. Beka Elliott/Lori Pick (PHILAU) 8-6

2. Quena Borres/Shakir Willett (HFU) def. Maddie Smith/Christina Kettle (PHILAU) 8-3

3. Liana Lui/Melanie Pulsinelli (HFU) def. K. Stracquontanio/Amanda Brennan (PHILAU) 8-4