Women's Tennis | 4/21/2017 5:54:00 PM

Box Score

Rock Hill, S.C.----The top-seeded and 33rd-ranked Wingate University Bulldogs went 4-1 in singles play Friday afternoon, defeating fourth-seeded Anderson University 5-3 in the semifinals of the women's tennis SAC Tournament. Wingate improves to 17-3 overall, advancing to Saturday's championship match. The Trojans fall to 18-5 on the season.

Anderson jumped out to a 2-1 lead in doubles play, prevailing 8-4 at number one doubles and 8-3 at three doubles. Wingate's number two doubles team of senior Andrea Ternera (Bogota, Colombia) and sophomore Sydney Homan (Huntsville, Ala.) prevailed 8-5 to get the Bulldogs on the board heading to singles play.

Anderson took a 3-1 lead with a win at number two singles, but the Bulldogs won the next four singles matches. Senior Layla Tanik (Raleigh, N.C.) won 6-2, 6-2 at number five singles, while junior Oroma Womeodu (Memphis, Tenn.) prevailed 6-3, 6-1 at four singles to tie the match 3-3.

All-SAC sophomore Claudia De Andreis (Milan, Italy) rallied for a big 4-6, 6-2, 6-2 victory at number one singles to give Wingate a 4-3 lead in the match. Freshman Elena Pellegrini (Livorno, Italy) won the clincher at number three singles. The All-SAC honoree dropped the opening set 6-0, but stormed back to win the second set 6-4, then ended the match with a 6-2 victory in set three. Homan held a 5-3 lead at six singles when the match ended.

Wingate will play for the SAC Tournament title Saturday at 12 p.m., facing third-seeded Tusculum at 12 p.m. in Rock Hill. The Pioneers defeated second-seeded Queens 5-0 in Friday's other semifinal match. Wingate prevailed 5-4 over Tusculum on the final day of the regular season. The Bulldogs have won four of the last six SAC Tournament championships, winning titles in 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2015