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For the first time since 2011, the Grand Valley State women's tennis advances to the NCAA Division II National Championships after they defeated Wayne State, 4-1, in the NCAA Midwest Region 2 Finals on Tuesday, May 14, at the WSU Tennis Courts in Detroit, Mich. With the win, the Lakers are now 23-4 on the season, while WSU ends its season 21-5. GVSU's next match will be in the NCAA Division II National Championships from May 22-25 in Altamonte Springs, Fla.
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GVSU took the match's first point in doubles play after they won from the No. 2 and No. 3 positions.
Nicole Heiniger and
Livia Christman won 6-3 from the No. 3 pairing, while
Marily Canellopoulos and
Vera Griva captured a 6-4 victory from No. 2 doubles.
Madison Ballard and
Marija Leko match from No. 1 doubles went unfinished as the score was tied 5-5.
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The Lakers continued their strong play into singles as they were able to hold the Warriors to only one point. WSU tied things up after they won from No. 4 singles, as Canellopoulos was defeated 6-1, 6-3. GVSU then rattled off three straight points from No. 6, No. 5 and No. 3 singles to clinch the match. Playing from the No. 6 position was Heiniger, who won 6-3, 6-1, while Christman captured a 6-2, 6-2, victory from the No. 5 slot. Leko clinched the match for the Lakers, after she tallied a 7-6 (8-6), 6-4, win from No. 3 singles. Griva (No. 1 singles) and Ballard (No. 2 singles) match's both went unfinished, as the matches were both tied.
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Grand Valley State's next match will be at the NCAA Division II National Championships from May 22-25 in Altamonte Springs, Fla. This will also be the second time in program history that the Lakers have advanced to the NCAA National Championships.
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Match Notes
Grand Valley State 23-4; National ranking #28; Regional ranking #3
Wayne State 21-5; National ranking #30; Regional ranking #2
Order of finish: Doubles (3,2); Singles (4,6,5,3)
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