Clemson Women’s Tennis Team Advances To NCAA Final 16

May 14, 2005

CLEMSON, SC – The Clemson women’s tennis team captured its second consecutive regional championship on Saturday at the Hoke Sloan Tennis Complex with its 4-0 victory over the College of William and Mary. The Tigers will advance to the NCAA Women’s Tennis Championships round of 16 to begin on May 19 in Athens, GA. Their opponent is yet to be determined. A year ago, Clemson became the first women’s team in school history to compete in the semi-finals of any national championship. The 2005 Tigers are the fifth team to reach the round of 16 in program history.

“I was very worried about our doubles because we had been out of competition for so long,” said Clemson Head Coach Nancy Harris. “They are a very well coached team and very hard fighting team. I knew the doubles point could set the tone for the match. It could also determine the outcome of the match, and I think that winning the doubles point gave us an edge coming out of the locker room into the singles matches.

“It was a pleasure to play such a well-coached and tough team as William & Mary both times this season. They are always going to be a top-25 team, and we have tremendous respect for that program.

“I guess that’s why they call it the “Sweet 16″ – it is very sweet. We are very proud and excited for both our players, coaches and the Clemson family. It was a wonderful tournament.”

In three sets of hotly-contested doubles play, the Clemson Tigers claimed flights one and two to claim the doubles point. William and Mary won the flight three doubles match, as The Tribe’s Lena Sherbakov and Amy Wei defeated Clemson’s Romy Farah and Carol Salge by a score of 8-5. The Tigers’ Daniela Alvarez and Maria Brito captured the flight two doubles match with an 8-5 win over William and Mary’s Kate Boomershine and Candice Fuchs. Clemson clinched the doubles point as the Tigers’ top-ranked duo of Julie Coin and Alix Lacelarie downed William and Mary’s tandem of Megan Moulton-Levy and Megan Muth by a score of 8-6.

The Tigers took a 2-0 lead as Clemson’s Carol Salge defeated Kate Boomershine of William and Mary by a score of 6-1, 6-1 at flight six singles. Daniela Alvarez of Clemson completed her 6-0, 6-2 win over William and Mary’s Lingda Yang, and moments later, Maria Brito sealed the Tiger victory with a 6-3, 6-1 decision over Amy Wei of The Tribe at flight four singles.

Clemson 4, William & Mary 0

Doubles 1. Julie Coin/Alix Lacelarie (CU) def. Megan Moulton-Levy/Megan Muth (W&M) 8-6 2. Daniela Alvarez/Maria Brito (CU) def. Kate Boomershine/Candice Fuchs (W&M) 8-5 3. Lena Sherbakov/Amy Wei (W&M) def. Romy Farah/Carol Salge (CU) 8-5 Order of Finish: 3,2,1

Singles 1. Julie Coin (CU) vs. Megan Moulton-Levy (W&M) DNF 2. Romy Farah (CU) vs. Lena Sherbakov (W&M) DNF 3. Alix Lacelarie (CU) vs. Megan Muth (W&M) DNF 4. Maria Brito (CU) def. Amy Wei (W&M) 6-3, 6-1 5. Daniela Alvarez (CU) def. Lingda Yang (W&M) 6-0, 6-2 6. Carol Salge (CU) def. Kate Boomershine (W&M) 6-1, 6-1 Order of Finish: 6,5,4