SAINT LEO, Fla. – The Saint Leo women's tennis team, ranked 10^th nationally, punched their ticket once again to the Sunshine State Conference Championship Tournament under the direction of head coach Chad Berryhill. The 2021 tournament seeded Saint Leo third over the fourth seed Lynn while Barry drew the first seed followed by Nova Southeastern seeded second. The conference released the tournament bracket with the first seed hosting the fourth and second seed hosting the third in round one set for Wednesday, April 21. The stage is set for the third-seeded Saint Leo Lions to travel to Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. to be hosted by the second-seeded Nova Southeastern Sharks, ranked third nationally, on Wednesday starting at 12 p.m.
 
The Saint Leo Regular Season Recap
During the 2021 campaign, Saint Leo put together a 7-2 overall record, 7-2 in the SSC. The Green and Gold wrapped up the regular season in a thrilling comeback over Lynn to claim the third seed. The season finale 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.
 
Molly Helgesson has been tremendous at the singles first flight compiling an 8-1 season record. Meanwhile, Vicens Miquel has earned a 6-3 mark in the second flight followed by Nina Furmaniak who also had success with a 6-3 record in the third flight.
 
Helgesson and Lavinia Lancellotti have been recognized as one of the best duos in the country. Their work has earned a 6-3 first flight record. Their efforts have been supported by third flight team, Vicens Miquel and Celina Ermann with a 5-3 mark.
 
Nova Southeastern's Season Stat Leaders
Nova Southeastern wrapped up the regular season boasting an 8-1 record, 8-1 in the SSC. The Sharks only loss came from first-seeded Barry in a 7-0 sweep. Natalie Espinal paced the Sharks in the first flight going 7-2 followed by Karolina Snita's 8-1 second flight record. The Sharks explored a number of different pairings for doubles teams in order to produce an overall 20-7 record.
 
Nationally Ranked Among the Lineups (4.20.21)
Saint Leo
Singles:
No. 4 Molly Helgesson
Doubles:
No. 15 Molly Helgesson and Lavinia Lancellotti
 
Nova Southeastern
Singles:
No. 10 Natalie Espinal
No. 17 Karolina Snita
No. 19 Daniela Obando
Doubles:
No. 2 Chantal Nosievici and Natalie Espinal
 
Last Meeting Between the Lions and Sharks
The programs meet on March 7, 2021 during the regular season. The, then, No. 3 Sharks were able to escape the No. 9 Lions in a 5-2 decision. Nova Southeastern swept doubles play for the point advantage heading into singles action. Saint Leo battled straight into five tiebreaker sets against Nova Southeastern. The Lions took the first and fifth singles matches in Molly Helgesson and Celina Ermann. Helgesson, at first singles, topped her opponent in a first set tiebreaker, 7-6 (4), and rolled through her second set, 6-3. Ermann took the long way home clinching a 14-12 first set tiebreaker. The Nuremberg, Germany product did not mess around in set two, registering a 6-3 decision.
 

 
Berryhill, the Lions, and a Whole Lot of Wins
In his five years at the helm, Coach Berryhill has led the Lions to a conference tournament every season, excluding the 2020 campaign that was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
 
Saint Leo Tennis Awards and Honors Under the Direction of Coach Berryhill:
NCAA

• 2x NCAA Appearances (2018, 2019)
• Indoor Championship Appearance (2020)

ITA Honors

• Team National Ranking (Year-End): No. 8 (2020), No. 5 (2019), No. 8 (2018)
• Team South Regional Ranking (Year-End): No. 4 (2019), No. 4 (2018)
• All-American (2019)
• South Region Rookie of the Year (2018)
• South Region Player to Watch (2019)
• 2x South Region Most Improved Senior (2018, 2017)
• South Region Community Service Team Award (2019)
• 4x National Ranking (Singles)
• 2x National Ranking (Doubles)
• 8x South Region Ranking (Singles)
• 4x South Region Ranking (Doubles)
• 16x All-Academic Award Winners

SSC Honors

• Freshman of the Year (2018)
• 4x All-SSC First Team (Singles)
• 3x All-SSC Second Team (Singles)
• 1x All-SSC First Team (Doubles)

Coaching Honors

• United States Professional Tennis Association (USPTA) Coach of the Year for the Florida Division (2019)
• ITA South Region Coach of the Year (2018)
• All-SSC Women's Tennis Coach of the Year (2018)
• All-SSC Men's Tennis Coach of the Year (2018)

 
SSC Championship Recent History
REGULAR-SEASON CHAMPIONS
2021: Barry
2020: Tournament canceled due to COVID-19
2019: Lynn
2018: Barry
2017: Barry
2016: Saint Leo
2015: Barry
2014: Barry
*SSC began naming regular-season tennis champions in 2014

REGULAR-SEASON CHAMPIONSHIPS BY SCHOOL
Barry - 5
Lynn - 1
Saint Leo - 1

SSC WOMEN'S TENNIS TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONS
2020: Tournament canceled due to COVID-19
2019: Lynn
2018: Barry
2017: Barry
2016: Lynn
 
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.