Tag: #2 Women’s Tennis

ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, Fla. – For the first time in program history, the Nova Southeastern Sharks Women’s Tennis team reigns as NCAA Division II National Champions. The second-ranked Sharks upended Sunshine State Conference rival and six-time defending national champion No. 1 Barry University 4-2 in a highly competitive match that spanned nearly four hours on Friday afternoon. The Sharks set the program record for wins in a single season (27) with the victory. 

The women’s tennis national championship marks the 13th NCAA Division II national title Nova Southeastern Athletics has earned in departmental history. 

Records: No. 2 Nova Southeastern 27-4 | No. 1 Barry 23-5
Score: No. 2 Nova Southeastern 4 | No. 1 Barry 2
Location: Sanlando Park | Altamonte Springs, Fla. 
Get Social: Instagram & X – NSU_WTennis

Starting with doubles action, Natalie Espinal and Freya Davies – the second-ranked doubles tandem in Division II – defeated No. 34 Dinara Alloiarova and Viktoriaa Dema 6-3. The Buccaneers followed by winning the remaining doubles matches, taking a 1-0 lead in the national championship match. 

The match shifted to singles competition, Freya Davies tied the match at 1-1 with a 6-0, 6-1 victory over Ailen Crespo. Natalie Espinal – the ITA Senior Player of the Year – gave Nova Southeastern a 2-1 lead in the match with a 6-2, 6-3 win over Alina Michalitsch. Barry was able to tie the match with their second, but final, point of the match as Alexandra Weir fell versus Viktoriia Dema in three sets (6-1, 3-6, 4-6). Sofia Shing shifted the momentum back in the Sharks favor, beating Angela Leweurs 6-3, 6-3. Lian Benedejcic – court four – and Ita Habekovic – court six – remained as Nova Southeastern needed just one more match point for the national championship victory.

Benedejcic, after dropping the first set to Dinara Alloiarova, responded with a second-set win in a tiebreaker (4-6, 7(8)-6(6)). Habekovic fell versus Clara Versier in the first-set, but battled back into the match with a win in the second. Habekovic took complete command of the decisive third-set, leading 5-2, but Versier responded with a pair of point wins, putting the score 5-4. With the match point tied at 40-40, Habekovic and Versier rallied back-and-forth, but Versier’s final attempt went long, ending Barry’s six-year championship run, as the Nova Southeastern Sharks Women’s Tennis team became NCAA Division II National Champions for the first-time in program history. 
 

THE SHARKS ARE CHAMPIONS ????????

For the first time in program history, NSU has won the NCAA National Championship! #HungryForMore pic.twitter.com/5lesHJ0NKP

— NSU Women’s Tennis (@NSU_WTennis) May 24, 2024

The NCAA National Championship victory concludes the 2024 season for the Nova Southeastern Sharks Women’s Tennis team. 

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ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, Fla. – For the second consecutive season, the No. 2 Nova Southeastern Sharks Women’s Tennis program has advanced to the NCAA Division II National Championship match. NSU defeated No. 3 North Georgia 4-0, as the Sharks continued their run of dominance at the national tournament, winning their third consecutive match 4-0. 

Records: No. 2 Nova Southeastern 26-4 | No. 3 North Georgia 25-2
Score: No. 2 Nova Southeastern 4 | No. 3 North Georgia 0
Location: Sanlando Park, Fla. | Altamonte Springs, Fla. 
Get Social: Instagram & X – NSU_WTennis

Doubles

Singles

• Natalie Espinal, the second-ranked player in Division II, defeated Linnikova, the tenth ranked Division II player, 6-0, 6-1
• No. 18 Alexandra Weir was victorious over Wojcikova, winning 6-3, 6-3
• Freya Davies sent the Sharks to the program’s second consecutive NCAA national championship match by defeating Lippert 6-4, 6-1

The second-ranked Sharks face a familiar opponent in the NCAA National Championship match, taking on Sunshine State Conference rival No. 1 Barry University on Friday, May 24. NSU and Barry matched up in the 2023 NCAA Division II National Championship last season and have played three times during the 2024 season. 

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ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, Fla. – The second-ranked Nova Southeastern Sharks Women’s Tennis team battled through the rain and advanced to the program’s third consecutive NCAA national semifinal with a 4-0 victory over seventh-seeded Wayne State (MI.) on Tuesday afternoon. 

Records: No. 2 Nova Southeastern 25-4 | No. 21 Wayne State 21-6
Score: No. 2 Nova Southeastern 4 | No. 21 Wayne State
Location: Sanlando Park | Altamonte Springs, Fla.
Get Social: Instagram & X – NSU_WTennis

Doubles
Freya Davies and Natalie Espinal opened doubles action with a 6-4 victory over Komar and Ruyssen
Ita Habekovic and Patricie Kubikova sealed the doubles point fro the second consecutive match for NSU, defeating Beaulieu and Gorgidze 7-5

Singles
Espinal, the ITA Senior Player of the Year, added a singles victory over Ruyssen; winning 6-0, 6-3
Alexandra Weir defeated Arafat 6-4, 6-3
Freya Davies sealed the match win for NSU, sending the Sharks to the national semifinal with a 7-5, 6-0 win over Komar. 

No. 2 Nova Southeastern advances to play third-seeded North Georgia in the NCAA Championship tournament national semifinal on Thursday, May 23, at Sanlando Park. First serve is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. To stay up-to-date on NSU Women’s Tennis, be sure to follow on Instagram & X at NSU_WTennis. 

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FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – The honors continue to roll in for the second-ranked Nova Southeastern Women’s Tennis program, as Head Coach Doug Neagle was recognized as the Wilson Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) Division II Coach of the Year and Natalie Espinal was honored as the ITA Senior Player of the Year on Tuesday afternoon. 

Neagle had previously been recognized as the Sunshine State Conference Coach of the Year – his fourth honor of his career – and the ITA South Region Coach of the Year. Neagle has guided No. 2 Nova Southeastern to the NCAA National Championship tournament in three consecutive seasons, including a NCAA national finalist appearance in 2023. During the 2024 season, Neagle and the Sharks were recognized as the No. 1 team in NCAA Division II. Additionally, Neagle coached the tandem of Natalie Espinal and Freya Davies to the ITA Doubles Cup national championship, the third ITA Doubles national title of Espinal’s career.

Espinal, one of the most accomplished student-athletes in the history of Nova Southeastern Athletics, continued to dominate during the 2023-24 season. As previously mentioned, Espinal and Freya Davies won the ITA Doubles Cup national championship during the fall of 2023. During the 2024 campaign, Espinal made history becoming the first NSU Women’s Tennis player to win 100 matches in both singles and doubles competition. 

No. 2 Nova Southeastern continues the program’s run to the NCAA National Championship with the national quarterfinal match against Wayne State (MI.). To stay up-to-date on NSU Women’s Tennis, be sure to follow on Instagram & X at NSU_WTennis. 

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ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, Fla. – The second-ranked Nova Southeastern Sharks Women’s Tennis team began its pursuit of the NCAA National Championship with a 4-0 win over 15th-seeded Indiana (PA.) in the first round of the NCAA National Tournament on Monday afternoon at Sanlando Park. 

Records: No. 2 Nova Southeastern 24-4 | IUP 16-9
Score: No. 2 Nova Southeastern 4 | IUP 0
Location: Sanlando Park | Altamonte Springs, Fla.
Get Social: Instagram & X – NSU_WTennis

Doubles
Natalie Espinal and Freya Davies started doubles action with a 6-0 win over Deewajee and Ramos. 
Ita Habekovic and Patricie Kubikova sealed the doubles point for NSU, winning 6-1 over Beitat and Sirci

Singles
Alexandra Weir defeated Graydon 6-3, 6-3
Sofia Shing was victorious over Sirci, winning 6-2, 6-2
Julia Moraes sealed the match win with a three-set win over Beitat, emerging victorious with a score of 6-2, 2-6, 6-0

No. 2 Nova Southeastern advances to the NCAA Championship Tournament Quarterfinals and the Sharks await the winner of the No. 14 Washburn and No. 21 Wayne State match. NSU returns to the court for the national quarterfinals on Tuesday, May 21st, first serve is scheduled for 4 p.m. To stay up-to-date on Sharks Women’s Tennis, be sure to follow on Instagram & X at NSU_WTennis. 

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ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, Fla. – For the third consecutive season, the second-ranked Nova Southeastern Sharks Women’s Tennis program has advanced to the Round of 16 at the NCAA National Championship tournament. The Sharks, entering the tournament as the second-seed, match up against 15^th-seeded Indiana (PA) on Monday, May 20^th.

No. 2 Nova Southeastern (23-4)
Under the direction of Head Coach Doug Neagle, NSU has become a perennial power in NCAA Division II. In the last three seasons, Neagle has guided the Sharks to a 73-11 record, reaching the NCAA National Championship Final Four in 2022 and finished the 2023 season as national finalists. Natalie Espinal, the ITA South Region Senior Player of the Year, has continued her dominant collegiate career throughout the 2023-24 season. Espinal, the second-ranked singles player in the nation, holds a 19-4 record in singles action and alongside Freya Davies forms the second-ranked doubles tandem in NCAA Division II with a 21-3 record.
NSU swept through the NCAA South Region tournament, defeating 10^th ranked West Alabama [4-0] and No. 4 Lynn [4-1].

15^th-seed Indiana (PA.) (16-8)
After starting the 2024 season with a 4-8 record, the Crimson Hawks enter the NCAA tournament having won each of their last 12 matches, claiming both the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference tournament title and the NCAA Atlantic Region championship.

The full NCAA National Championship bracket can be found here.

The NCAA National Championship tournament will be held at Sanlando Park, in Altamonte Springs, Fla. NSU takes on Indiana (PA.) in the first round with first serve scheduled for 1 p.m. To stay up-to-date during the Sharks National Championship run, be sure to follow on Instagram & X at NSU_WTennis.
 

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FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – The Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) announced the 2024 ITA Division II regional award recipients on Wednesday morning. No. 2 Nova Southeastern Head Coach Doug Neagle was recognized as the South Region Wilson ITA Coach of the Year and Natalie Espinal was named the ITA Senior Player of the Year. 

Every year the ITA recognizes coaches and players for their excellence on the court and in their communities throughout the season.   

 Espinal became the first Sunshine State Conference player to be recognized with first-team singles honors five times in a collegiate career and the fourth honored with four first-team doubles recognition. Throughout her career, Espinal holds a record of 114-22 in singles matches and 108-16 in doubles. Espinal won the third ITA Doubles Cup Championship of her career in 2023. In 2024, Espinal is ranked No. 2 player in ITA singles rankings, holding a record of 19-4, and forms the No. 2 doubles tandem in ITA Division II – alongside Freya Davies – with a 21-3 record.  

“I am so happy to see Natalie get recognized for her well-deserved ITA Senior Player of the Year award. She has put together one of the best Division II tennis careers ever,” stated Neagle. “Natalie has always carried herself with class and humility. She always puts her team first, which is a reason for her own success. I truly believe when you elevate others, you can get to and stay at the top. Natalie has been at the top since she started as a freshman and I couldn’t be happier!” 

Neagle, a four-time recipient of the Sunshine State Coach of the Year award, guided Nova Southeastern to a 23-4 record and the program’s third consecutive trip to the NCAA National Championship tournament in 2024. Neagle’s Sharks earned the top-ranking in the ITA poll on two occasions during the 2024 season.  

“Being recognized as the Wilson ITA South Region Coach of the Year is truly humbling. There are so many deserving coaches out there this year who had incredible seasons,” said Neagle. “To be recognized like this from your peers means a lot. I always say any of these individual awards are TEAM awards. There are so many people that play a major part in our success. I want to thank my players for their consistent effort. We have a special group here!” 

The second-ranked Nova Southeastern Sharks Tennis team continue their pursuit of the NCAA National Championship beginning on Monday, May 20th, with the first round of the tournament at Sanlando Park in Altamonte Springs, Fla. To stay up-to-date on the Sharks throughout their championship run, be sure to follow on Instag

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BOCA RATON, Fla. – The number two ranked Nova Southeastern Women’s Tennis team punched their ticket to the NCAA National Championship, taking down #4 Lynn 4-1 in Saturday morning’s NCAA South Region Championship matchup.  

NSU looks to make another deep push at the NCAA Championship after a runner-up finish in last year’s tournament. 

Records: No. 2 Nova Southeastern 23-4 | No. 4 Lynn 17-4  
Score: No. 2 Nova Southeastern 4 | No. 4 Lynn 1  
Location: Perper Tennis Complex | Boca Raton, Fla.   
Get Social: Instagram & X – NSU_WTennis  

DOUBLES 

Natalie Espinal and Freya Davies kicked off the action with a win over Marcinkevica and Marie 6-2. 

Lian Benedejcic and Alexandra Weir secured the doubles point, taking down Podbiol and Younes 6-3. 

SINGLES  

Alexandra Weir won versus Schieroni 6-2, 6-3. 

Lian Benedejcic took down Younes 6-1, 6-0. 

Sofia Shing defeated Marie 6-4, 6-4, securing the victory and a spot at the NCAA Tournament for the Sharks. 

Nova Southeastern will travel to Altamonte Springs, FL for the NCAA Championship. The Sharks will begin play May 20th. 

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BOCA RATON, Fla. – The number two ranked Nova Southeastern Sharks Women’s tennis team took down the #10 ranked West Alabama Tigers 4-0 in the first round of the NCAA South Region Championship on Friday afternoon. 

Records: No. 2 Nova Southeastern 22-4 | No. 10 West Alabama 15-9 
Score: No. 2 Nova Southeastern 4 | No. 10 West Alabama 0 
Location: Perper Tennis Complex | Boca Raton, Fla.  
Get Social: Instagram & X – NSU_WTennis 

DOUBLES  

Natalie Espinal and Freya Davies took the win over Vidnere and Rivera 6-4.  

Patricie Kubíková and Ita Habekovic secured the doubles point for NSU, taking down Takanishi and Mutilba 6-2. 

SINGLES 

Natalie Espinal won versus Iglupas 6-3, 6-4. 

Freya Davies took down Ly 6-1, 6-3. 

Lian Benedejcic defeated Mutilba 6-3, 6-4, securing the victory for NSU. 
 

Nova Southeastern will take on Lynn in the South Region Championship Saturday, May 11 at 9:00 am.  

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FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – The second-ranked Nova Southeastern Sharks Women’s Tennis (21-4) have punched their ticket to the NCAA National Tournament for the 12th time in program  history and for the fifth consecutive season. 

No. 2 Nova Southeastern, last season’s NCAA national finalists, enters the tournament as the third-seed and will face a difficult test in the opening round, taking on sixth-seeded No. 10 West Alabama (15-9) on the campus of Lynn University. Joining NSU in the NCAA South Regional tournament are No. 4 Lynn and No. 12 Auburn Montgomery. 

Led by Sunshine State Conference Coach of the Year Doug Neagle, Nova Southeastern has become a perennial power in NCAA Division II. The Sharks have accumulated a record of 72-12, and have reached the national semi-finals in each of the last two seasons. 

Natalie Espinal has continued her illustrious career, anchoring the Sharks from the No. 1 Doubles and No. 1 Singles spot. Espinal beame the first women’s tennis player in Sunshine State Conference history to be recognized with first-team honors five times in a career and has also earned first-team doubles accolades four times. Espinal and Freya Davies were honored with first-team honors by the SSC and form the second-ranked doubles tandem in NCAA Division II. 

No. 2 Nova Southeastern takes on No. 10 West Florida on Friday, May 10th, at Lynn University. To stay up-to-date on Sharks Women’s Tennis, be sure to follow on Instagram & X at NSU_WTennis. 

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