Reading, Pa. (Apr. 30, 2019) - Alvernia University enters this week's MAC Commonwealth Women's Tennis Tournament as the second seed, and will host third seeded Stevenson University in the semifinals of the MAC Commonwealth Championship.
The two teams will face off at 3:30 PM at the Governor Mifflin Courts, with the winner advancing to the finals to take on the winner of the matchup between fourth seeded, and defending team champion, Lebanon Valley College and top seeded Messiah College.
This is Alvernia's seventh appearance in the tournament since joining the MAC Commonwealth in the 2010-11 season. Alvernia has made it to the finals in 2015 and 2016, and won the title in 2016.
#2 Alvernia vs. #3 Stevenson
Alvernia went 14-4 overall this year, including a 5-1 performance in MAC Commonwealth play. After falling to Messiah at the end of March to open their MAC Commonwealth schedule, the Golden Wolves have gone on a six-match winning streak, including five straight MAC Commonwealth wins. Alvernia locked up the two-seed this past weekend with a 5-4 win over Stevenson to force the Mustangs to travel to Reading for the semifinal round. Alvernia is led by
Amanda Phillips and
Ariana Chuprinsky, who play as the number one and number two players for Alvernia, respectively. The duo have combined for a 15-4 doubles record, with Chuprinsky going 12-2 in number two singles and Phillips going 10-5 in number one singles.
The Mustangs are 8-6 overall and 4-2 in MAC Commonwealth play. The Mustangs only two losses in MAC Commonwealth play come against the Golden Wolves and the top seeded Falcons. The Mustangs are 3-1 on the road this year, but are on a three match losing streak to close out their regular season. The Mustangs are led by Kelsi Mentzer and Jenna Skove, who are 8-4 in doubles play. Skove also plays as the number one singles, and is 5-8 on the season. Kirstyn Davidson plays as the Mustangs number two singles, and is 8-5 on the season.
#4 Lebanon Valley vs #1 Messiah
The top-seeded Falcons have an overall record of 7-8, but are a perfect 6-0 in MAC Commonwealth play. After going 0-8 to start their season, the Falcons have won seven-straight matches going into the semifinals, and have gone undefeated in MAC Commonwealth play. The Falcons are looking to capture their third MAC Commonwealth title in the last four seasons. The Falcons made it to the finals last year, but fell to the Dutchmen in a 5-4 decision. The Falcons have had five combinations take on the number one doubles, and have had the most success with the combination of Kaitlyn Russell and Emily Wichert. The duo have gone 5-3 together, including 4-1 in the conference. The Falcons have dominated MAC Commonwealth singles play, dropping just two singles matches in conference play all season.
The defending champion Dutchmen are 7-9 overall and are 3-3 in MAC Commonwealth matches. The Dutchmen have won three over their last four, dropping their regular season finale to the Falcons this past Saturday. At number one doubles, the combination of Melanie Haas and Emily Wilczek have gone 5-9 in doubles play. The Dutchmen have struggled at number one and two singles, going a combined 8-20, but have done well at numbers three, four and, five with combined record of 25-17. Meridyth Sanders is leading the way for the dutchmen, with an 8-2 overall record between number two and three singles.
The winner of the Lebanon Valley vs. Messiah matchup will face the winner of the Stevenson vs. Alvernia matchup on Saturday at the highest remaining seed.
For complete MAC Commonwealth Women's Tennis Championship information, visit the
2019 Championship Central.
