April 25, 2015
VERONA, N.Y. - The top-seeded Navy women's tennis team (20-6) advanced to the Patriot League Championship by defeating No. 4 Lehigh (12-9), 4-1, in the tournament semifinals on Saturday afternoon at the indoor Sportsplex at Turning Stone Resort.
"I thought we played well," said head coach Keith Puryear. "It was a total team effort across the board. We competed well and we will have to do the same tomorrow in the final."
Navy will face No. 2 Boston U. in the tournament final on Sunday at 12 noon. This will be the first meeting between the two schools.
The Mids opened the day by posting a win at No. 2 doubles as freshman Amanda Keller and sophomore Summer Ralston defeated Cassidy Cruz and Abby Farrell, 8-3. Lehigh then evened the doubles competition at 1-1 when Christina Auyeung and Jamie Campisi defeated Navy's Kristine Rojo and Noelle Kaufmann at No. 1 doubles, 8-3.
The always-important doubles point came down to the No. 3 position, where Navy's Katie Porter and Mikaela Carlson were trailing Lehigh's Kirstin Godau and Abby Duddy, 6-4. However, Porter and Carlson won four straight games to take the match at 8-6 and clinch the doubles point for the Mids.
"Doubles was tough," said Puryear. "We had lost the doubles point in our first match against them. So securing this time was key. We split at #1 and #2, then on the deciding match it was a seesaw battle. Up 4-1, then down 6-5. We were then able to right the ship to secure the doubles point, which was huge."
Lehigh's Campisi bested Porter at No. 3 singles, 6-0, 7-5 to even the match at 1-1, but Navy regained the lead when junior Logan Antill defeated Cruz at No. 2 singles, 6-0, 6-3.
Navy increased its lead to 3-1 when Rojo took down Briana Maravich at No. 4 singles, 6-3, 6-2.
Keller then clinched the match at 4-1 when she defeated Godau at No. 5 singles, 6-1, 6-0. Due to the Sportsplex only having four courts, Keller had to wait until the first singles match was complete before taking the court.
"Amanda played well," said Puryear. "She minimized her errors and really moved the ball around."
Keller extended her school single season win record to 29.
At the time of Keller's clinching victory, junior Sam Droop was locked into a three-set battle at No. 1 singles against Auyeung.
"I was proud of how Sam battled at No. 1," said Puryear. "The young lady from Lehigh is one of the best in the conference and Sam battled her for every point."
Navy has now won 12 straight matches and the team has won at least 20 matches in five straight seasons.
Navy improves to 7-0 in the all-time series against Lehigh.
Navy will be making its fourth appearance in the Patriot League final and will be seeking its first tournament championship and NCAA berth.
Patriot League SemifinalsNo. 1 Navy def. No. 4 Lehigh, 4-1
Doubles - Navy wins the doubles point, 2-1 (Finish: 2,1,3)No. 1 Christina Auyeung / Jamie Campisi (L) def. Kristine Rojo / Noelle Kaufmann (N), 8-3No. 2 Amanda Keller / Summer Ralston (N) def. Cassidy Cruz / Abby Farrell (L), 8-3No. 3 Katie Porter / Mikaela Carlson (N) def. Kirstin Godau / Abby Duddy (L), 8-6
Singles (Finish: 3,2,4,5)1. Christina Auyeung (L) led Sam Droop (N), 6-4, 4-6, 3-2 (unfinished)2. Logan Antill (N) def. Cassidy Cruz (L), 6-0, 6-33. Jamie Campisi (L) def. Katie Porter (N), 6-0, 7-54. Kristine Rojo (N) def. Briana Maravich (L), 6-3, 6-25. Amanda Keller (N) def. Kirstin Godau (L), 6-1, 6-06. Abby Farrell (L) led Claudia Mackenzie (N), 7-5, 1-0 (unfinished)
2015 Patriot League Women's Tennis Tournament ScheduleThursday, April 23 - First RoundNo. 8 Lafayette def. No. 9 Holy Cross, 4-1
Friday, April 24 - QuarterfinalsNo. 1 Navy def. No. 8 Lafayette, 4-0No. 4 Lehigh def. No. 5 Loyola, 4-0No. 2 Boston U. def. No. 7 Bucknell, 4-0No. 3 Army def. No. 6 Colgate, 4-0
Saturday, April 25 - SemifinalsNo. 1 Navy def. No. 4 Lehigh, 4-1No. 2 Boston U. def. No. 3 Army, 4-0
Sunday, April 26 - ChampionshipNo. 1 Navy vs. No. 2 Boston U. - 12 noon
