Women's Tennis Defeats Grand Valley State 5-2

The Northwood University women's tennis team claimed a 5-2 win over Grand Valley State in the NCAA Tournament Tuesday afternoon (April 30).

Northwood is now 21-1 overall with the win.  GVSU's season comes to an end at 24-7.

The key to the match may have been the Timberwolves strong play in doubles.  Northwood posted early breaks in all three matches and eventually won all of them by the same 8-5 score.

Leading 3-0 heading into singles, NU needed just two wins in six singles matches to advance.  The Lakers did take two of the first three points in singles thanks to wins at No. 6 and No. 3 singles.  But the top of the Northwood lineup proved to the difference.  Ayana Kobayashi played one of her best matches of the year at No. 2 singles, posting a 6-1, 6-1 win to get the Timberwolves to four points.  GLIAC Player of the Year Susana Alcaraz then finished off the Northwood victory with a 6-3, 6-2 win at No. 1 singles.

Both the Northwood men's and women's team will now advance to the Round of 16 in Surprise, Arizona.  The final four rounds of the NCAA Tournament will take place in Surprise May 8-10.

#40 Northwood 5, #42 Grand Valley State 2
Apr 30, 2013 at Midland, Mich.
Singles competition
1. #48 Susana Alcaraz (NU) def. Niki Shipman (GV) 6-3, 6-2
2. Ayana Kobayashi (NU) def. Leah Dancz (GV) 6-1, 6-1
3. Lexi Rice (GV) def. Nastya Puchkina (NU) 6-1, 6-3
4. Inesa Asatryan (NU) vs. Morgan Carney (GV) 6-7, 3-0, unfinished
5. Nikoletta Kaposzta (NU) vs. Claire Cooper (GV) 6-0, 2-6, unfinished
6. Kali Phillips (GV) def. Margarita Asatryan (NU) 6-2, 6-4

Match Notes
Grand Valley State 24-7; National ranking #42; Regional ranking #3
Northwood 21-1; National ranking #40; Regional ranking #2
Order of finish: Doubles (3,1,2); Singles (6,2,3,1)
2013 NCAA Division II Women's Tennis Tournament
Northwood Advances To Round of 16 in Surprise, Arizona May 8-10
Official: Bruce Rayce T-2:40 A-50