SAINT PETER, MINN. – The Gustavus Adolphus women’s tennis team picked up a 5-1 victory over St. Olaf College in Friday’s MIAC Women’s Tennis Playoffs Semifinal played at the Brown Outdoor Tennis Complex. The win moves the Gusties to 16-12 on the season and earns them a spot in Sunday’s MIAC Playoff Final against the University of St. Thomas.
As it did when it played the Oles nearly three weeks ago, Gustavus earned a 3-0 sweep in doubles. The No. 2 team of Michaela Schulz (So., Elk River, Minn.)/Lizzy Stanczyk (Jr., Plymouth, Minn.) found themselves down 7-6, but fought back to earn a 9-7 victory to help the Gusties complete the sweep.
In singles play, Ally Baker (Fy., Rosemount, Minn.) led the Oles’ Bailey Kent 6-1, 3-1 at the No. 6 spot, before Kent was forced to retire due to a knee injury, giving Gustavus a 4-0 lead. Katie Aney (Fy., Rochester, Minn.) dropped a 6-3, 6-2 decision to Erin Hynes at the No. 5 spot to make it a 4-1 lead, but moments later, the Gusties’ Sid Dirks (Jr., St. Peter, Minn.) clinched a victory for the home squad in an impressive 6-2, 6-4 win over St. Olaf’s Margaret Zimmerman at No. 4.
With the win, the No. 1-seeded Gusties advance to Sunday’s championship match against the University of St. Thomas with a trip to the NCAA Tournament on the line. The Tommies defeated Carleton College 5-1 in Friday’s other semifinal, but Gustavus defeated St. Thomas 6-3 last Saturday in St. Paul. Sunday’s match with the Tommies will be played at 1 p.m. at the Brown Outdoor Tennis Complex.