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FORT MYERS, FL—Third-seeded NJIT (8-12) advanced to the semifinals of the 2017 ASUN Women's Tennis Championship, defeating sixth-seeded Kennesaw State (5-15), 4-3,
Friday afternoon at the FGCU Tennis Complex.
The win marks the Highlanders' first-ever win at the ASUN Tennis Championship and first-ever postseason victory for an NJIT Athletic team since joining the ASUN Conference in 2015-16.
"Kennesaw State came out strong to earn the doubles point," head coach
Ira Miller commented. "The team regrouped and battled till the very end to earn the 4-3 win. Natacha (Minc) lost a tough straight set decision at the third spot; Amanda (Helminsky) picked up the team and won the straight set victory at the sixth spot; Alba (Rosas Garcia) played her best match of the season and team captain Nathalie (Habegger) dropped her first at fourth singles but showed her experience and composure to pull out the come-from-behind win.
Freshman
Mayar Eltony a 2017 ASUN All-Conference and First-Team honoree, secured the victory for the Highlanders, outlasting Alexandra Mercado, in a thrilling three-set victory, 6-4, 1-6, 7-6 (7-5) tiebreaker win, at first singles.
"Mayar (Eltony) (who joined the Highlanders in January), was up against three match points when she was receiving up 5-4 but stayed positive even though she didn't convert them.," Miller added. "She showed poise and played a great tiebreaker to secure the win for the third-seeded Highlanders."
Highlander duo
Nathalie Habegger and
Alba Rosas Garcia started the day off strong, earning a doubles victory over Kennesaw State's Laura Hopton and Cristina Perez Martin, 6-3, at second doubles. Kennesaw State, however, would go on to take the doubles point.
In the singles competition,
Amanda Helminsky earned a straight-set victory over Aspen Jarrett of Kennesaw State at sixth singles, 6-3, 6-2.
Junior
Alba Rosas Garcia continued her strong play on the afternoon, defeating Jessica Cantrell, in straight sets, 6-3, 6-4, at fifth singles.
After dropping the first set, senior team captain
Nathalie Habegger rallied back down a set to defeat Kennesaw State's Laura Hopton at fourth singles, 3-6, 7-5, 6-3.
NJIT will return to the court on
Saturday, April 22, as the Highlanders face second-seeded North Florida in the ASUN Women's Championship Semifinals. The match will begin at
12 pm.
