Rock Hill, S.C.----The fourth-seeded Newberry College Wolves took two out of three doubles matches Thursday afternoon, then claimed three singles victories to eliminate top-seeded and three-time defending tournament champion Wingate University in the women's SAC tournament semifinals at the Rock Hill Tennis Center. Newberry improves to 18-7 and advances to Friday's championship match, while the Bulldogs fall to 19-5 on the year.

Wingate's number three doubles team of sophomore Caroline Holland (Spartanburg, S.C.) and freshman Layla Tanik (Raleigh, N.C.) registered an 8-5 win at number three doubles. Newberry won 8-1 at number two doubles. In number one doubles, senior Ali Evers (Roswell, Ga.) and junior Becca Thomas (Alpharetta, Ga.) erased a 4-0 deficit to take a 6-4 lead, but Newberry's Susana Aguirre and Romina Adum won the next four games to take an 8-6 win, giving the Wolves a 2-1 lead heading to singles.

Tanik prevailed 6-2, 6-3 at number four singles to tie the match 2-2. Evers won the first set 6-0 at number one singles, but Aguirre rallied to take the next sets 7-5 and 6-3 to put Newberry back on top. Thomas won her first set 6-1 at number three singles, but Vanessa Ortiz took the next two sets 6-4 and 6-3 to give Newberry a 4-2 advantage. Ariel Strong won the clincher at number five singles, prevailing 7-5, 7-6 over Wingate senior Morgan Winston (Lawrenceville, Ga.).

Newberry will face Tusculum in the SAC championship match Friday. Wingate will wait to learn its postseason fate. The Bulldogs entered the tournament ranked 38th nationally and fifth in the region.