Grantham, Pa. (May 3, 2017) - Messiah College used wins in all three doubles matchups to propel it to a 5-1 victory over Alvernia University in the MAC Commonwealth Conference Women's Tennis semifinal Wednesday afternoon at Messiah.

The Falcons took No.1 doubles, 8-3, and No.3 doubles, 8-2. Alvernia duo Alyssa Boyd and Emily Thek had a lead at No. 2 doubles, but Messiah's Sydney Schandel and Amanda Adams battled back to take the matchup 9-7.

Messiah then pulled ahead 4-0 as Adams took No.6 singles in straight sets. 

With the Falcons needing just one more win to advance to the finals, Thek gathered the Crusaders lone tally, defeating Meagan Scala in straight sets at No.4 singles.

Emily Wichert notched the last point Messiah would need, narrowly topping Maria Diosteanu at No.5 singles. After dropping the first set 6-2, Diosteanu took a 5-4 advantage in the second set. Wichert fought back to 6-6 before edging Diosteanu in the tie-breaker set 7-5. 

The Crusaders conclude the 2016-2017 season with an overall record of 9-5.

 

Complete Results

Singles competition

1. Kelly Hopkins (MESSW) vs. Cassandra Noray (ALVWT) unfinished, unfinished

2. Carly Dove (MESSW) vs. Amanda Philips (ALVWT) unfinished, unfinished

3. Sydney Schandel (MESSW) vs. Alyssa Boyd (ALVWT) unfinished, unfinished

4. Emily Thek (ALVWT) def. Meagan Scala (MESSW) 6-3, 6-2

5. Emily Wichert (MESSW) def. Alex Diosteanu (ALVWT) 6-2, 7-6 (7-5)

6. Amanda Adams (MESSW) def. Cassandra Bean (ALVWT) 6-0, 6-2

Doubles competition

1. Kelly Hopkins/Carly Dove (MESSW) def. Cassandra Noray/Amanda Philips (ALVWT) 8-3

2. Sydney Schandel/Amanda Adams (MESSW) def. Alyssa Boyd/Emily Thek (ALVWT) 9-7

3. Meagan Scala/Emily Wichert (MESSW) def. Cassandra Bean/Xena Sperrazza (ALVWT) 8-2