DePaul University Athletics
Monday, April 22
Cayce, S.C.
11:30 A.M. CT
DePaul University
4
vs
3
Xavier
Women’s Tennis Captures BIG EAST Tournament Title
4/22/2019 4:01:00 PM | WOMEN'S TENNIS
Kuzmenkova’s heroics lift Blue Demons to victory
CAYCE, S. C. – The No. 2 DePaul women's tennis team claimed the 2019 BIG EAST Women's Championship title after defeating top-ranked Xavier 4-3 on Monday afternoon at the Cayce Tennis & Fitness Center.
The win marks DePaul's (11-11) fourth BIG EAST tournament title in the last six years and the sixth straight championship match appearance for the Blue Demons.
The final point came down to Alina Kuzmenkova and Emily Thomas at No. 3 singles. Kuzmenkova finished out the match in dramatic fashion forcing a third set to decide the title. In the 5-7, 7-5, 6-3 triumph Kuzmenkova came from behind on two occasions, most notably down 3-0 in the third set and stormed back to win the final 6 games to clinch the title which earns the Blue Demons an automatic ticket to the NCAA Tournament.
DePaul jumped out to a 1-0 lead with wins at No. 2 and No. 3 doubles to notch the first point. Alina Kuzmenkova and Aspasia Avgeri defeated Hunter Roper and Rachael Reichenbach 6-2 at No. 3, while Marija Jovicic and Milica Tesic recorded a 6-2 win at No. 2 over Sophia Abelson and Kaitlin Ruether.
Keisha Clousing jump started the Blue Demons singles play to give DePaul the 2-0 edge with a dominant 6-2, 6-2 win over Ahmeir Kyle at the No. 1 spot.
Jovicic widened the lead to 3-0 for DePaul with a 6-2, 6-3 straight set win at No. 4 over Rachael Reichenbach.
Xavier brought the score to a draw 3-3 when the Musketeers etched wins at No. 6 No. 5, and No. 2.
Kuzmenkova then followed with the finishing touch at No. 3.
Marija Jovicic was named the tournament's most outstanding player after going 3-0 in singles action and 2-0 in doubles play.
The Blue Demons will now await their placement in the 2019 NCAA Division I Women's Tennis Tournament after the selection show on Monday April 29 at 5:30 p.m. CT on NCAA.com.
Results
DePaul 4, Xavier 3
Doubles
1.Kyle/Thomas (XU) def. Clousing/Antonijevic (DPU) 6-2
2.Jovicic/Tesic (DPU) def. Abelson/Ruether (XU) 6-2
3.Avgeri/Kuzmenkova (DPU) def. Roper/Reichenbach (XU) 6-2
Singles
1.Keisha Clousing (DPU) def. Ahmeir Kyle (XU) 6-2, 6-2
2.Sophia Abelson (XU) def. Aspasia Avgeri (DPU) 6-3, 5-7, 6-0
3.Alina Kuzmenkova (DPU) def. Emily Thomas (XU) 5-7, 7-5, 6-3
4.Marija Jovicic (DPU) def. Rachael Reichenbach (XU) 6-2, 6-3
5.Hunter Roper (XU) def. Milica Tesic (DPU) 6-3, 4-6, 6-0
6.Kaitlin Ruether (XU) def. Maddie Yergler (DPU) 6-4, 7-6
The win marks DePaul's (11-11) fourth BIG EAST tournament title in the last six years and the sixth straight championship match appearance for the Blue Demons.
The final point came down to Alina Kuzmenkova and Emily Thomas at No. 3 singles. Kuzmenkova finished out the match in dramatic fashion forcing a third set to decide the title. In the 5-7, 7-5, 6-3 triumph Kuzmenkova came from behind on two occasions, most notably down 3-0 in the third set and stormed back to win the final 6 games to clinch the title which earns the Blue Demons an automatic ticket to the NCAA Tournament.
DePaul jumped out to a 1-0 lead with wins at No. 2 and No. 3 doubles to notch the first point. Alina Kuzmenkova and Aspasia Avgeri defeated Hunter Roper and Rachael Reichenbach 6-2 at No. 3, while Marija Jovicic and Milica Tesic recorded a 6-2 win at No. 2 over Sophia Abelson and Kaitlin Ruether.
Keisha Clousing jump started the Blue Demons singles play to give DePaul the 2-0 edge with a dominant 6-2, 6-2 win over Ahmeir Kyle at the No. 1 spot.
Jovicic widened the lead to 3-0 for DePaul with a 6-2, 6-3 straight set win at No. 4 over Rachael Reichenbach.
Xavier brought the score to a draw 3-3 when the Musketeers etched wins at No. 6 No. 5, and No. 2.
Kuzmenkova then followed with the finishing touch at No. 3.
Marija Jovicic was named the tournament's most outstanding player after going 3-0 in singles action and 2-0 in doubles play.
The Blue Demons will now await their placement in the 2019 NCAA Division I Women's Tennis Tournament after the selection show on Monday April 29 at 5:30 p.m. CT on NCAA.com.
Results
DePaul 4, Xavier 3
Doubles
1.Kyle/Thomas (XU) def. Clousing/Antonijevic (DPU) 6-2
2.Jovicic/Tesic (DPU) def. Abelson/Ruether (XU) 6-2
3.Avgeri/Kuzmenkova (DPU) def. Roper/Reichenbach (XU) 6-2
Singles
1.Keisha Clousing (DPU) def. Ahmeir Kyle (XU) 6-2, 6-2
2.Sophia Abelson (XU) def. Aspasia Avgeri (DPU) 6-3, 5-7, 6-0
3.Alina Kuzmenkova (DPU) def. Emily Thomas (XU) 5-7, 7-5, 6-3
4.Marija Jovicic (DPU) def. Rachael Reichenbach (XU) 6-2, 6-3
5.Hunter Roper (XU) def. Milica Tesic (DPU) 6-3, 4-6, 6-0
6.Kaitlin Ruether (XU) def. Maddie Yergler (DPU) 6-4, 7-6
Players Mentioned
/ WOMEN'S TENNIS
/ WOMEN'S TENNIS
/ WOMEN'S TENNIS
/ WOMEN'S TENNIS
/ WOMEN'S TENNIS
/ WOMEN'S TENNIS
WTEN: Yuliya Kizelbasheva Be the Match Interview
Thursday, August 31
Yuliya Kizelbasheva: Be The Match Interview
Thursday, August 31
REACTION: DePaul Women's Tennis NCAA Tournament
Tuesday, May 02
DePaul Tennis: Talents and Tricks
Wednesday, April 26