Grantham, Pa. (May 7, 2016) - Top-seeded Messiah College (12-5) got off to a 3-0 start after dobules play winning tight matches at No. 1 and 2 en route to a 5-0 win over #2 Alvernia University (11-8) in the MAC Commonwealth Women's Tennis Championship Final Saturday afternoon at Messiah.

The Falcons earned their first point of the day with an 8-3 win at No. 3 doubles then took a 3-0 lead when they won the top two doubles flights by 8-6 counts.  When the match turned to singles play, Messiah earned a pair of straight set wins at No. 5 and No. 3 for the title and the leagues automatic bid into the NCAA Championships.

Messiah College 5, Alvernia University 0

Singles competition
1. Ashli Livermore (MESSW) vs. Cassandra Noray (ALVWT) unfinished
2. Kelly Hopkins (MESSW) vs. Amanda Phillips (ALVWT) unfinished
3. Kaitlyn Russell (MESSW) def. Lillian Hussar (ALVWT) 6-2, 6-0
4. Carly Dove (MESSW) vs. Emily Thek (ALVWT) unfinished
5. Sydney Schandel (MESSW) def. Xena Sperrazza (ALVWT) 6-0, 6-1
6. Meagan Scala (MESSW) vs. Cassandra Bean (ALVWT) unfinished

Doubles competition
1. Ashli Livermore/Kelly Hopkins (MESSW) def. Cassandra Noray/Amanda Phillips (ALVWT) 8-6
2. Kaitlyn Russell/Carly Dove (MESSW) def. Lillian Hussar/Emily Thek (ALVWT) 8-6
3. Sydney Schandel/Meagan Scala (MESSW) def. Xena Sperrazza/Cassandra Bean (ALVWT) 8-3

Match Notes
Alvernia University 11-8
Messiah College 12-5
T-2:15 A-52