Posted: Apr 22, 2017

Back to Back Titles For Principia

For the 20th time in program history and the second straight year, the Principia College women's tennis team takes home the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Tournament Championship title. The Panthers recorded their conference record 20th tournament title with a 5-0 win over Webster University on Saturday, completing an undefeated season against conference opponents.

After edging Webster 5-4 in the regular season meeting, Principia jumped out to a fast start winning all three doubles matches. The top team of Paige Cooley and Caitlin Carney rolled to an 8-2 win while the #2 team of Gracie Buchanan and Nathalie DeLoach won 8-3. Brittany Duke and Anh Vu completed the doubles sweep with an 8-2 win.

In singles play Cooley finished off an undefeated season in SLIAC play with a 6-3, 6-1 win at #1 singles. It was a race for the fifth point between the Panthers Carney and DeLoach. Both Panthers players won the opening set but Webster's Sara Rice forced a third set against Carney after winning 6-1.

That opened the door for DeLoach to secure the game-winning point at #4 singles. DeLoach battled Jesse Steffens-Willis with long rallies before she was able to finish off a 6-4 win.

Fontbonne University took the third-place match in the tournament, defeating Greenville College 5-4.