Wingate, N.C.----The second-seeded and 15th-ranked Wingate University Bulldogs picked up the first NCAA Tournament victory in program history Saturday afternoon, defeating seventh-seeded Chowan University in the opening round of the 2018 NCAA Division II women's tennis Southeast Region 2 Tournament. Wingate improves to 21-4 overall, advancing to take on the Georgia College vs. North Georgia winner Sunday at 11 a.m. in Wingate. The Hawks end their season at 20-4 overall.

"I'm very happy for the girls," Head coach Michael Cabana says. "It's been an exciting year and I'm glad we get the chance to keep playing tomorrow. It's been a season of firsts, with being able to host and now to win a first round match. We are looking forward to another home match Sunday."

Wingate went 2-1 in doubles play, starting with an 8-1 victory at number two doubles from juniors Claudia De Andreis (Milan, Italy) and Sydney Homan (Huntsville, Ala.). Senior Oroma Womeodu (Memphis, Tenn.) teamed with freshman Chyi Lee (Taipei, Taiwan) for an 8-2 victory at three doubles to give the Bulldogs a 2-1 advantage heading to singles play.

Homan's second victory of the day came at number six singles, rolling to a 6-1, 6-0 victory to make it 3-1. Sophomore Michela Verpelli (Milan, Italy) made it 4-1 with a convincing 6-1, 6-1 victory at one singles. Lee won the clincher at number three singles, prevailing 6-1, 6-2 to give Wingate the 5-1 victory.

De Andreis won the opening set at two singles 7-6 and led 4-1 in set two when the match was clinched. Womeodu had just started set three at number four singles, while sophomore Marisa Ostoja (Split, Croatia) was up 5-4 in the second set after dropping set one at five singles.

The Bulldogs are back in action Sunday with a trip to the NCAA Sweet 16 on the line. Wingate will play the North Georgia vs. Georgia College winner Sunday at 11 a.m. in Wingate. The winner travels to Surprise, Ariz. where each of the eight regions will have two remaining teams. Tournament play in Arizona runs May 8-11.