SAINT LEO, Fla. – The Saint Leo women's tennis team, ranked 10^th by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA), upset the fifth-ranked Lynn Fighting Knights, 4-3, in the last match of the regular season. The Lions clinched four singles matches in order to claim the top-five victory in the Saint Leo Tennis Center on Friday. The thrilling finale raised the Green and Gold's overall record to 7-2, while recording a 7-2 mark in the Sunshine State Conference (SSC).
 
The Fighting Knights swept doubles handing in 7-5, 6-3, and 6-4 decisions, respectively.
 
Fourth-ranked Molly Helgesson helped defend the den in the one spot, in a confident 6-2, 6-3 decision. Meanwhile, Takhmina Zhanatova defeated her sixth flight opponent; 6-3, 6-0 and Celina Ermann took care of the fifth flight; 7-5, 6-2. Although Saint Leo earned three points from Helgesson, Zhanatova, and Ermann's work, Lynn had been able to claim the third and fourth flights, which leveled the match at three points apiece. 
 
It all came down to the second singles flight. Marta Vicens Miquel suffered a 6-0 loss in the first set against Lynn's Karyna Bihel. The senior from Port De Pollensa, Spain shifted all momentum in the second set. Vicens Miquel whipped up a 6-2 second set victory as the opponents got ready for a third set. Tied at 4-4 in set three, Vicens Miquel prevailed, registering a 6-4 third-set match win to lift Saint Leo over Lynn, 4-3.
 
Results by Lineup
Doubles
Eleonore Barrere and Anna Baranovski def. No. 15 Molly Helgesson and Lavinia Lancellotti (7-5)
Eleonora Liga and Federica Mordegan def. Nina Furmaniak and Takhmina Zhanatova (6-3)
Karyna Bihel and Barbora Cibakova def. Marta Vicens Miquel and Celina Ermann (6-4)
 
Singles
No. 4 Molly Helgesson def. Eleonore Barrere (6-2, 6-3)
Marta Vicens Miquel def. Karyna Bihel (0-6, 6-2, 6-4)
Eleonora Liga def. Nina Furmaniak (5-7, 6-0, 6-0)
Federica Mordegan def. Lavinia Lancellotti (6-3, 6-2)
Celina Ermann def. Giorgia Pigato (7-5, 6-2)
Takhmina Zhanatova def. Barbora Cibakova (6-3, 6-0)
 
Up Next
Following a successful regular season campaign, Saint Leo finished third in the conference. The Lions now turn their attention to the 2021 SSC Championship Tournament.  The first and second rounds of the tournament are slated for Wednesday, April 21, and Saturday, April 24. Although the league has yet to release an official tournament bracket, the Lions will travel to Nova Southeastern for a 2 p.m. semifinal match start. More information will be available HERE. 
 
 
For the latest news, updates, and information on the Saint Leo women's tennis team, be sure to visit SaintLeoLions.com. Fans can also stay up-to-date on the latest Lions news by following Saint Leo Athletics on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
 
Keeping Our Lions Healthy & Safe
Saint Leo University Athletics is keeping our student-athletes healthy and safe by following a number of measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19. This includes having student-athletes tested or screened on a regular basis, traveling in smaller groups, holding competitions without fans in attendance, avoiding overnight trips, and wearing masks when not competing. These safety standards meet those set by the NCAA Division II and the Sunshine State Conference President's Council. At Saint Leo University, the COVID-19 Incident Command Team also reviews the teams' safety protocol and monitors adherence on a regular basis.