GRAND FORKS, N.D. - Senior co-captain Emma Larson captured the decisive point with a three-set singles victory, giving No. 3 seed North Dakota a 4-3 win over No. 2 seed New Jersey Insitute of Technology and landing the Sioux a berth in Sunday's Great West Conference Tennis Championship final.
Larson, a native of Glenwood, Minn., defefated Anine Lovdal in No. 4 singles, winning 7-6, 4-6 and 6-3 to break a 3-3 tie between the two teams.
Larson also teamed with fellow senior co-captain Katie Callison (Mesa, Ariz.) to pick up a No. 2 doubles victory, a 9-8 nailbiter over Lovdal and Ana Lidon.
"Emma and Katie really hung in there well today," said UND head coach Tom Wynne. "They won two really close matches and both of them turned out to be critical."
Freshman Erin Kappers (Rochester, Minn.) defeated Lidon 6-1 and 6-1 in No. 2 singles.
Kappers and freshman Hallie Welk (Bismarck, N.D.) suffered an 8-2 defeat to Nina Mayevska and Isha Toor.
With NJIT fielding only six players, UND received a No. 3 doubles victory via forfeit, credited to freshmen Megan Sween (Grand Forks) and Mindy Lawrence (Park Rapids, Minn.).
UND now advances to Sunday's championship game against the winner of today's Chicago State/Texas-Pan American semfinal. The championship is scheduled for noon at Snookie Register Tennis Complex.
"We're really pumped, we're really psyched," said Larson of UND's championship berth. "Anybody that's available, come on out and cheer us on!"
If inclement weather forces the match indoors, it will be held at Center Court Fitness Club.
Singles competition
1. Nina Mayevska (NJIT) def. Katie Callison (UND) 6-1, 6-1
2. Erin Kappers (UND) def. Ana Lidon (NJIT) 6-1, 6-1
3. Isha Toor (NJIT) def. Hallie Welk (UND) 6-4, 6-4
4. Emma Larson (UND) def. Anine Lovdal (NJIT) 7-6, 4-6, 6-3
5. Fanny Aizier (NJIT) def. Megan Sween (UND) 6-1, 6-1
6. Mindy Lawrence (UND) def. NO PLAYER via forfeit
Doubles competition
1. Mayevska/Toor (NJIT) def. Kappers/Welk (UND) 8-2
2. Callison/Larson (UND) def. Lidon/Lovdal (NJIT) 9-8
3. Sween/Lawrence (UND) def. NO PLAYER/NO PLAYER via forfeit
~Go Sioux~
