From University of Chicago Athletics
In the history of University Athletic Association (UAA) women's tennis, Emory University is the standard bearer. The Eagles have claimed 30 out of the 33 UAA team titles since the conference's inception and have been a consistent roadblock to the University of Chicago over the years.
The Maroons broke through to win the league championship in both 2010 and 2012. But in the past seven UAA finals, Emory has come out on top.
UChicago changed that narrative on Sunday morning in the 2022 UAA Championship match with a 5-2 triumph over the Eagles.
The No. 1-ranked Maroons improved to 18-1 and earned the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Championship field. The No. 4-ranked Eagles fell to 8-9.
The two teams previously faced off in early March at the ITA Indoor Nationals. Down 4-0, UChicago pulled off a stunning, epic comeback by winning the remaining five singles matches to capture the program's first ITA indoor title.
On Sunday morning, doubles play proved to be a tense affair once again. But in a reverse of the previous matchup, UChicago came up clutch and emerged with a trio of victories by the narrowest of margins – 8-6 at No. 1 (Sylwia Mikos/Shianna Guo); 8-7 at No. 2 (Claudia Ng/Eugenia Lee); and 8-7 at No. 3 (Lauren Park/Nicole Geller).
With a 3-0 lead in hand, the Maroons only needed to win two of the six singles matches. However, Emory had other plans. The Eagles came out firing, grabbed four first sets and reduced the deficit to 3-2 with victories at No. 4 and No. 5.
The four remaining matches all went to deciding third sets as the team result hung in the balance. Park delivered a crucial fourth point with her win at No. 6 by scores of 3-6, 6-1, 6-2. Guo then submitted a masterful 6-0 third set at No. 2, setting off a UChicago celebration on the courts.
"It was an absolutely insane display of grit, determination and fight by the women in the finals today," said Head Coach Jay Tee. "We were down 4-6 at No. 1 doubles, 6-7 and two match points at No. 2, and 3-6 at No. 3, but didn't blink. We talked before the match about playing to win rather than not to lose and we flipped the switch at the right time. In our first meeting at National Indoors, it was our first-years coming up clutch, but today it was our veterans. Eugenia and Claudia stared down two match points, didn't flinch, and played huge in the big moments. Lauren was an absolute rock today, leading a huge comeback in doubles before turning in an unbelievable three-set win to get us a badly needed fourth point and huge momentum boost, setting up Shianna for the clinch. Shianna played a flawless third set, hitting winner after winner under intense pressure. It was an honor to share the court with the team and to once again witness their incredible toughness."
UChicago 5, Emory 2
Singles
1. Sylwia Mikos (UC) vs. Emma Cartledge (EU) 2-6, 6-4, 3-4, unfinished
2. Shianna Guo (UC) def. Eliza McPherron (EU) 6-2, 4-6, 6-0
3. Claudia Ng (UC) vs. Christina Watson (EU) 6-4, 5-7, 3-4, unfinished
4. Stephanie Shulman (EU) def. Nicole Geller (UC) 6-3, 6-2
5. Ana Cristina Perez (EU) def. Miranda Yuan (UC) 6-1, 6-4
6. Lauren Park (UC) def. Alexa Goetz (EU) 3-6, 6-1, 6-2
Doubles
1. Sylwia Mikos/Shianna Guo (UC) def. Christina Watson/Ana Cristina Perez (EU) 8-6
2. Claudia Ng/Eugenia Lee (UC) def. Lauren Yoon/Eliza McPherron (EU) 8-7
3. Lauren Park/Nicole Geller (UC) def. Alexa Goetz/Emma Cartledge (EU) 8-7