SAINT PETER, Minn. – Rain forced the MIAC women's tennis semifinal matchup between Gustavus and Bethel inside the Swanson Tennis Center on Friday afternoon and the Gusties came away with a convincing 5-0 victory. The semifinal match between the Gusties and Royals occurred for the fifth consecutive season, which the Gusties have now won three straight. Gustavus, the No. 2 seed and now 17-12 overall, advances to the MIAC championship at 1 p.m. Saturday at No. 1 seed and undefeated Carleton.
The Gusties started Friday's match with lopsided wins in doubles.
Yuki Oda (Sr., Kawasaki, Japan) and
Emily Norman (Sr., Rochester) claimed the first win 8-2 at No. 2, quickly followed by an 8-1 win at No. 3 for
Alli Laux (Jr., Onalaska, Wis.) and
Renata Hernandez (Sr., Saint James).
Allison Szalay (Fy., Urbandale, Iowa) and
Molly Austin (Fy, Arden Hills) completed the doubles sweep at No. 1 with an 8-4 win.
Austin then made quick work of her opponent at No. 3 singles, 6-0, 6-1, and Laux clinched the match at No. 4 with a 6-3, 6-1 victory.
"We knew Bethel was going to be a tough challenge the second time around and the team came out and played the best tennis we've played all year," Head Coach Jon Carlson said.
