ANNAPOLIS, Md. – Facing the Terriers for the second time in three weeks, the No. 3 seed Navy women's tennis team (17-12) could not overcome second-seeded Boston University (12-8) in the 2025 Patriot League Semifinals on Saturday afternoon, falling by a 4-0 score at the Drumlins Tennis Club in Syracuse, N.Y.
 
Seeing their season end with the loss, the Midshipmen battled close with the Terriers in doubles play before Boston used a strong singles start to clinch a spot in the league's championship match. The Navy senior class of Sylvia Eklund, Kate Lee, Parvathi Shanker and Emily Tannenbaum end their careers helping the Mids to an 82-31 record in their four seasons, winning three-straight Star matches over rival Army, going 2-0 against rival Air Force and leading Navy to the program's first Patriot League title in 2024.
 
Saturday's match started with Emily Zhao and Nina Gulbransen posting a 6-2 win to get past Lee and her doubles partner in sophomore Julia Lee in the No. 3 spot, but Navy evened doubles play when Tannenbaum and sophomore Olivia Fermo outlasted the top BU pairing of Uma Bakaiyte and Gabriella Mikaul, 6-4, to continue their winning streak.
 
Coming down to the second court, Madison Liu and Blanka DeMicheli pulled away late to knock off sophomore Manci Pal and freshman Emma Gu, 7-5, and secure the crucial doubles point.
 
Shifting to singles action, Mikaul was able to beat freshman Grace Li by a 6-0, 6-1 score on the second court, while Bakaiyte got the best of Tannenbaum with a 6-2, 6-2 win in the top flight to put the Terriers on the verge of clinching a championship-match berth.
 
With the third, fourth and fifth courts battling deep into second and third sets, the clinching point came at the sixth spot, with Rhea Rai holding off a rally attempt by Kate lee to tally a 7-5, 6-2 straight-set victory over the Navy captain.
 
Coach Keith Puryear Comments
"Boston was the better team today. Indicative of how this season went at times, we created opportunities but couldn't close. When that happens, sometimes you're unable to manufacture them again. This loss can't, however, detract from what we've accomplished this year and what our four firsties have achieved in their time here in the Blue and Gold. We thank Emily, Sylvia, Parv and Kate for their leadership and commitment to this team. Their legacy is secure. We'll be very young next year, but their teammates will have the blueprint left by them to follow for success. Best of luck in the fleet to each of them!"
 
Match Notes
• Navy is now 1-14 in the all-time series with Boston.
• Navy has posted an 8-7 all-time record in the league's semifinal round.
• Tannenbaum and Fermo finish the season on a six-match doubles winning streak.