The men’s and women’s tennis teams swept the NCAA Division II South Central Region Tournament Tuesday, defeating St. Edward’s and Northwest Missouri State 5-0 each to earn their way into the national championship tournament.
The women’s team, now boasting a 24-3 record, made their way into the national tournament for the 17th time.
“It was great to win because it allows us to go to nationals and continue our season,” junior Julia Mongin said. “We are very happy.”
After winning the first set on Tuesday, doubles duo Hannah Kelley and Micah Hermdorf were forced into a tie-breaker against Alexandra Khadzhyan and Audrey Tompkins. The No. 11 ranked pair won in the third set 7-3, winning the match 9-8.
Sisters Julia and Laura Mongin took on another set of siblings, Rachel and Rafaela Haegele. The Mongins won the No. 2 doubles 8-2. Madelyn Walkers and Brittney Reed defeated Mary Bain and Francesca Chahor 8-0 at No. 3, giving ACU a 3-0 advantage going into singles.
No. 37 ranked Micah Hermsdorf easily beat Paige Rachel of the Hilltoppers 6-0, 6-0, and taking the regional championship. Hermsdorf is now 21-4 in singles play, and has won 15 matches in the No. 2 tournament seed spot.
Julia Mongin, ranked second in the nation, was unable to finish her No. 1 match against Alexandra Khadzyan. Mongin was winning 2-1 in the second set after winning the first.
Her sister, Laura Mongin defeated Rafaela Haegele in the No. 4 seed 6-0, 6-0, claiming another singles win for the ‘Cats.
“I am also very thankful that our matches were live,” Mongin said. “Everyone could watch us online, and that was a great opportunity for our families to watch our matches.”
ACU’s women’s tennis now claims 25 regional titles.
The men’s team beat the Bearcats 5-0, earning their 14th regional title.
Sixth ranked doubles duo of Hans Hach and Nick Plum posted an 8-4 win over Mario Jakovljevic and Jose Ortega, their 13th win of the season.
Alfredo Desiati and Borja Cortes followed with an 8-5 match over Rafael Bugiga and Guilherme Narducci. Michael Morris and Guilherme Gesser continued to ‘Cats success Calvin Patterson and Luis Altimires, 9-7.
In singles, No. 6 Hach defeated Patterson 6-3, 6-2. This match marked Hach’s fourth victory, and 22-4 overall.
Plum followed with a 6-4, 6-1 victory over Bugiga. The rest of the matches were unfinished.
Both teams will return to action May 16 at the NCAA Division II National Championship.
The No. 6 women’s team will take on Indiana. If they win, they will play in the quarterfinals against a team yet to be determined.
If the ‘Cats can win both matches, it is very likely they will face BYU-Hawaii in the semifinals.
Julia Mongin likes ACU’s chances to play well in the national tournament.
“Nationals is a great competition that allows us to challenge ourselves with great competitors,” Mongin said. “We may not be the best team in Division II, but we are tough enough to perform with the best. The only thing to do is to have fun on the court and give our best each match to reach our victory.”
The men will face Northern Kentucky in Louisville in Round 16. The Wildcats previously beat them this season, 6-3.
