Contact: Drew Sauer, Assistant Sports Information Director, 630-637-5324

Box Score

Elmhurst, Ill. (Sept. 19, 2017) – Facing a 4-1 deficit, the North Central College women's tennis team mounted an improbable comeback over Elmhurst College on Tuesday, clawing back to pull out a 5-4 victory while earning their first College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) win of the season.
 
The Bluejays (1-4, 1-3 CCIW) took an early 2-1 lead after doubles play, as Diana Barcelata and Morgan House squeezed out a 9-8 win over Rachel Rettger and Ysabel Gonzaga at the No. 1 position to avoid the clean sweep for North Central.
 
Elmhurst then took a 4-1 lead after claiming the No. 3 and No. 4 singles positions, needing just one more win to seal the match victory.  Barcelata sparked the Cardinal rally with a 6-3, 6-0 victory over Chiara Gaudio at the No. 1 position, before Reagan Scherpe drew the Cardinals to within one of the lead with a 6-1, 7-5 win over Dacey Maglaque at the No. 5 spot.
 
With just two positions left playing, Mackenzie Ferrell scored a 6-4, 7-6 decision over Meg Simon at No. 6, knotting the score 4-4.  With just the No. 2 position remaining featuring House and Gonzaga, House opened with a 7-5 first-set win, before Gonzaga rebounded with a 6-4 win in the second.  With the match on the line in the third and final set, House came through in the clutch with a convincing 6-3 win to seal the Cardinal comeback.
 
North Central (2-3, 1-1 CCIW) continues conference play on Sunday, Sept. 24, hosting Illinois Wesleyan University at the NCC Tennis Courts at 9 a.m., followed by a non-conference match against Monmouth College at 3 p.m.