Contact: Emily Zadny, Sports Information Graduate Assistant, 630-637-5302

Box Score

ORLANDO, Fla. (Mar. 17, 2019) – The North Central College women's tennis team had to hold its breath until the very last moment of the dual against St. Lawrence University (2-2) on Sunday evening, rallying back in singles play to a 5-4 victory.

The Cardinals were forced to play catch-up after doubles play, trailing 3-0. Diana Barcelata and Katie McGraw nearly defeated Christine Ryan and Grace van Tartwijk at No. 2, but the Saints duo edged out an 8-7 victory.

The singles matches were where the Cardinals made it interesting, taking wins at No. 3 and No. 2 from Alaina Kanthaphixay and Hannah Houghland, respectively. St. Lawrence extended its lead to 4-2 after winning the No. 5 match, but McGraw made swift work of Haley Sherrard at No. 4 singles, winning 6-0, 6-3 to tie the score, 3-3. A win at No. 6 from Tiffany Smolik helped North Central pull ahead 4-3 and it was going to come down to Barcelata at No. 1 to seal the team's victory. After losing the first set, Barcelata came back to win the second and third 6-4, 7-6, respectively, and helped North Central bring home its tenth win of the season.

North Central (10-4) returns to the court tomorrow for a double header, first taking on Goucher College at 10 a.m. (ET) and Concordia University (Wis.) at 6:30 p.m. (ET).