SAINT PETER, Minn. — The Gustavus women's tennis team met a familiar foe in its MIAC Playoff opener, facing off against Bethel for the second match in a row. The Gusties jumped the Royals in the national rankings with a 6-3 win on Sunday, moving up to No. 25, and proved their ranking with a 5-3 semifinal victory to punch a ticket to the MIAC Championship.
The Gusties took a 2-1 lead after doubles.
Pavla Yakimova and
Alli Laux were dominant at No. 3, cruising past the Royals, 8-2.
Molly Austin and
Kaya De Bruijn battled from behind to bring the No. 1 doubles to 6-7, but fell to the Royals' top pair 6-8.
Allison Szalay and
Bethany Smith sealed the advantage for the Gusties after doubles play, winning 8-5 after being down 1-4 early at No. 2.
Needing just three points to clinch the victory, the Gusties turned to the always steady
Alli Laux, who earned her seventh victory of the year at No. 4 6-1, 6-0. Bethel got one back at No. 1, as
Molly Austin fell to Lauryn Douglas 2-6, 4-6.
Kaya De Bruijn put the team within one, winning in straight sets, 6-4, 6-1. The sophomore has now won her last nine at No. 3. Bethel once again responded, this time at No. 2, winning 4-6, 1-6 over
Allison Szalay.
Ella De Young was the hero for Gustavus, winning at No. 6 singles in straight 6-1 sets to clinch the victory, 5-3.
The Gusties advance to the MIAC Championship for the 14th time in program history, which will be played Saturday at 1 p.m., hosted by top-seeded Carleton.
