ST. LOUIS, Mo. – For the third straight season, the William Woods University women's tennis team, sponsored by Fulton Medical Center, has advanced to the Championship Match of the Unaffiliated Group Tournament.
 
The Owls opened play with a 5-0 victory over Freed-Hardeman University in the Quarterfinals. In the semifinals, WWU defeated Baker University, 5-0. The win gave the Owls its appearance in the championship match.
 
The Owls will face the winner of the Missouri Valley and Missouri Baptist match tomorrow, April 28th in the AMC/Heart of America Tournament Championship Match. The match is set to start at 9 a.m. at Tower Grove Park.
 
WWU vs. FHU
The Owls jumped out to a quick 3-0 lead as they took No. 3 doubles, No. 5 singles and No. 6 singles by forfeit.
 
Only needing two more points the Owls No. 2 doubles team of Paige Smith and Karyna Sagalai won 8-0 for the fourth point of the match. WWU clinched the match before going to singles. Ana Zavala and Zlata Shuraeva won 8-3 in No. 1 singles taking the match, 5-0.
 
Results
Singles
1. Selinde Tatum (FHU) vs. Karyna Sagalai (WWU) no result
2. Emaleigh Board (FHU) vs. Julia Perez Wienese (WWU) no result
3. Ali Ann Russell (FHU) vs. Felicia Cesar (WWU) no result
4. Rachel Roberts (FHU) vs. Paige Smith (WWU) no result
5. Bente Petersen (WWU) def. No player (FHU), by forfeit
6. Abigail Lemberger (WWU) def. No player (FHU), by forfeit
 
Doubles
1. Ana Zavala/Zlata Shuraeva (WWU) def. Selinde Tatum/Emaleigh Board (FHU) 8-3
2. Paige Smith/Karyna Sagalai (WWU) def. Ali Ann Russell/Rachel Roberts (FHU) 8-0
3. Julia Perez Wienese/Felicia Cesar (WWU) def. No player/No player (FHU), by forfeit
 
WWU vs. Baker
The Owls came out of the gate and did not drop a doubles match. Felicia Cesar and Chelsea Steward won 8-0 putting the Owls in the lead. The Owls No. doubles team of Ana Zavala and Zlata Shuraeva and No. 3 doubles of Karyna Sagalai and Abigial Lemberger put the Owls ahead 3-0 after 8-3 victories.
 
In singles action the Owls No. 5 singles, Abigail Lemberger won 6-2, 6-0, putting the Owls ahead 4-0. Zlata Shureava clinched the match for the Owls wit ha 6-2, 6-2 victory in No. 3 singles.
 
The Owls had leads in No. 4, and No. 6 singles but trailed in No. 1 and No. 2 singles.
 
Results
Singles
1. Karyna Sagalai (WWU) vs. Kate Taylor-Doran (BU) 0-6, 5-2, unfinished
2. Julia Perez Wienese (WWU) vs. Janie King (BU) 4-6, 4-0, unfinished
3. Zlata Shuraeva (WWU) def. Holly Chestnut (BU) 6-2, 6-2
4. Felicia Cesar (WWU) vs. Sophie Robertson (BU) 6-3, 3-2, unfinished
5. Abigail Lemberger (WWU) def. Kayelee Smith (BU) 6-2, 6-0
6. Paige Smith (WWU) vs. Morgan Francis (BU) 7-5, 2-0, unfinished
 
Doubles
1. Ana Zavala/Zlata Shuraeva (WWU) def. Kate Taylor-Doran/Janie King (BU) 8-3
2. Felicia Cesar/Chelsea Steward (WWU) def. Sophie Robertson/Holly Chestnut (BU) 8-0
3. Karyna Sagalai/Abigail Lemberger (WWU) def. Morgan Francis/Kayelee Smith (BU) 8-3