For the 32nd consecutive season, the Emory University women's tennis team will play for the University Athletic Association championship as the Eagles defeated Carnegie Mellon University, 5-1, in the semifinal round Friday afternoon in Altamonte Springs, FL.
In doubles, the Eagles claimed two of the three points to take a 2-1 lead heading into singles. Senior Daniela Lopez and freshman Jessica Fatemi recorded the first win of the match on court two, winning 8-4, before sophomores Ysabel Gonzalez-Rico and Defne Olcay posted an 8-5 win on court one.
Lopez opened the singles portion of the match with a straight set 6-0, 6-1 victory on court two with Gonzalez-Rico following with a 6-4, 6-2 decision on court one. Freshman Emma Cartledge clinched the match for the Eagles on five, turning the 6-3, 6-4 victory.
At the end of the match, Olcay was in a third set on three 6-2, 1-6, 1-2 while Fatemi (5-7, 0-4) and classmate Lauren Yoon (6-3, 2-5) were in the midst of second sets on courts four and six.
Emory, in search of its seventh straight UAA title and 30th overall, battles the University of Chicago in the championship match for the third consecutive season. The Maroons topped Brandeis University, 5-0, in the semifinals on Friday. The championship match is set to get underway at 8:30 AM EST on Saturday.