SAINT PETER, Minn. – Rain forced the MIAC women’s tennis semifinal matchup between Gustavus and Bethel inside the Swanson Tennis Center on Friday afternoon and the Gusties came away with a convincing 5-0 victory. The semifinal match between the Gusties and Royals occurred for the fifth consecutive season, which the Gusties have now won three straight. Gustavus, the No. 2 seed and now 17-12 overall, advances to the MIAC championship at 1 p.m. Saturday at No. 1 seed and undefeated Carleton.
The Gusties started Friday’s match with lopsided wins in doubles. Yuki Oda (Sr., Kawasaki, Japan) and Emily Norman (Sr., Rochester) claimed the first win 8-2 at No. 2, quickly followed by an 8-1 win at No. 3 for Alli Laux (Jr., Onalaska, Wis.) and Renata Hernandez (Sr., Saint James). Allison Szalay (Fy., Urbandale, Iowa) and Molly Austin (Fy, Arden Hills) completed the doubles sweep at No. 1 with an 8-4 win.
Austin then made quick work of her opponent at No. 3 singles, 6-0, 6-1, and Laux clinched the match at No. 4 with a 6-3, 6-1 victory.
“We knew Bethel was going to be a tough challenge the second time around and the team came out and played the best tennis we’ve played all year,” Head Coach Jon Carlson said.
Gustavus 5, Bethel 0
Singles
| 1. Yuki Oda (GACW) vs. Lauryn Douglas (BU-W) 4-6, 4-2, unfinished |
| 2. Allison Szalay (GACW) vs. Julia Baber (BU-W) 6-2, 4-2, unfinished |
| 3. Molly Austin (GACW) def. Elise Bierbaum (BU-W) 6-0, 6-1 |
| 4. Alli Laux (GACW) def. Emma Thole (BU-W) 6-3, 6-1 |
| 5. Pavla Yakimova (GACW) vs. Rylee Schurman (BU-W) 6-2, 3-2, unfinished |
| 6. Brooke Haddorff (GACW) vs. Bryna Eigenfeld (BU-W) 6-2, 5-1, unfinished |
Doubles
| 1. Allison Szalay/Molly Austin (GACW) def. Lauryn Douglas/Julia Baber (BU-W) 8-4 |
| 2. Yuki Oda/Emily Norman (GACW) def. Emma Thole/Rylee Schurman (BU-W) 8-2 |
| 3. Alli Laux/Renata Hernandez (GACW) def. Elise Bierbaum/Bryna Eigenfeld (BU-W) 8-1 |