Southeastern repeats as GAC women’s tennis champions

GAC Communications
Eric Moyer

BENTONVILLE, Ark. – Top-seeded Southeastern Oklahoma State ran its win streak against NCAA foes to a dozen matches with a 5-1 victory against Harding in the Great American Conference Women’s Tennis Championship title match.

The Savage Storm (18-2) took straight-set victories at No. 1, 3, and 6 singles to close out the match after taking a 2-1 lead following doubles play.

Sandra Reljic provided the clinching point and punched Southeastern’s automatic entry into the upcoming NCAA Division II Central Regional Tournament with a 6-0, 6-4 win at No. 1 singles.  The Savage Storm entered the GAC Championships as the region’s number two squad and would earn a hosting position it they remain in that position.

Harding (15-7) scored its lone point at No. 1 doubles where Piper Huey and Laura Golubic took an 8-5 victory.

The victory gave Southeastern the program’s second GAC women’s tennis tournament championship.  Harding, which played in the conference tournament final for the first time since 2014, awaits word on an at-large selection into NCAA Division II regional play.

GAC Women’s Tennis Championship
April 22, 2017 (finals)
No. 1 Southeastern Oklahoma State 5, No. 2 Harding 1

Singles:
No. 1 Sandra Reljic (SE) d. Piper Huey (HU) 6-0, 6-4
No. 2 Anna Buiukian (SE) vs. Laura Golubic (HU), did not finish
No. 3 Samantha Coquinos (SE) d. Gabriella Alves (HU) 6-3, 6-2
No. 4 Darija Catipovic (SE) vs. Brittany Smyser (HU), did not finish
No. 5 Paula Martinez (SE) vs. Arielle Butler (HU), did not finish
No. 6 Luisa Auffarth (SE) d. Emily Faulkner (HU) 6-2, 6-0

Doubles:
No. 1 Huey/Golubic (HU) d. Reljic/Catipovic (SE) 8-5
No. 2 Buiukan/Coquinos (SE) d. Smyser/Butler (HU) 8-2
No. 3 Martinez/Auffarth (SE) d. Alves/Faulkner (HU) 8-2

Order of finish: Doubles 2-1-3, Singles 6-3-1

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