Interview with MVP Lauren Giovannini
Final Bracket
Box Scores, Recaps, Photo Galleries

BELTON, Texas -- The University of Texas at Tyler grabbed a lead after doubles and the Patriots rolled through the bottom of the singles draw to post a 5-1 win over the Mary Hardin-Baylor in the American Southwest Conference Women’s Tennis Championship Match Sunday at Yvonne Li Tennis Center.

The Patriots (17-7) claimed their fourth-straight ASC title with the victory and also clinched the league’s automatic bid to the NCAA Division III National Championships. The loss ends the Cru’s season at 13-6. 

UT Tyler took an early lead when Ashley Albro and Lauren Giovannini paired for an 8-2 win at No. 3 doubles. UMHB tied it when Mallory and Megan Aarhus posted an 8-2 win at No. 1 doubles, but Jessica Blundell and Michelle Hagler combined for an 8-6 victory at No. 2 doubles to give the Patriots a 2-1 lead moving into singles play.

Morgan Wilkins topped Lauren Knight, 6-1, 6-0, at No. 6 singles to give UT Tyler a 3-1 lead and Brittany Trich’s 6-4, 6-3 win at No. 5 singles made it 4-1. Blundell then clinched the match with a 6-2, 7-5 victory at No. 3 singles.

The Patriots were also up one set in the other three singles matches when the match was decided.

Giovanni was named Tournament MVP and was joined on the All-Tournament Team by fellow Patriots Albro, Blundell and Wilkins. Mallory and Megan Aarhus of UMHB were also named to the All-Tournament Team along with Jean-Jean Gwo of UT-Dallas and Lisa Mertz of Hardin-Simmons.

The Patriots will find out their pairing and match date when the NCAA Tournament field is announced Monday morning. With the men also winning, UT Tyler sweeps the ASC tennis titles for the fourth straight year.

-Courtesy University of Texas at Tyler Sports Information Department

2011 ASC WOMEN'S TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIP

Singles
Michelle Hagler (UTT) vs. Megan Aarhus (UMHB) 6-1, 5-5, unfinished
Sydni Hermsdorf (UTT) vs. Mallory Aarhus (UMHB) 6-3, 5-4, unfinished
Lauren Giovannini (UTT) vs. Rebecca Everett (UMHB) 6-3, 4-1, unfinished
Jessica Blundell (UTT) def. Megan Richardson (UMHB) 6-2, 7-5
Brittany Trich (UTT) def. AshLee Bilbo (UMHB) 6-4, 6-3
Morgan Wilkins (UTT) def. Lauren Knight (UMHB) 6-1, 6-0

Doubles
Aarhus/Aarhus (UMHB) def. Hermsdorf/Emily McRae (UTT) 8-2
Blundell/Hagler (UTT) def. Bilbo/Everett (UMHB) 8-6
Giovannini/Ashley Albro (UTT) def. Richardson/Penelope Kittel (UMHB) 8-2