MEADVILLE, Pa. -- In one of the most exciting and nail-biting matches in recent memory, the Allegheny College women's tennis team captured the 2024 Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) championship with a 4-3 come-from-behind victory over Franciscan University on Monday at the Robertson Athletic Complex.
Despite entering the tournament as the sixth-seeded team, upset-minded Franciscan (10-5) gave the Gators their toughest test of the season. Allegheny (15-2) needed a dramatic comeback to hoist the title trophy, but it should come as no surprise that a playoff contest between the Gators and Barons went down to the wire. Allegheny's first-ever PAC title was won in a similar fashion against Franciscan in the fall of 2022.
The Barons won the doubles point, and two of the first three singles matches. Trailing 3-1, there was no margin for error, as the Gators needed each of the three remaining singles matches to claim the championship. That only made things even more tense when both
Emiliia Grydnieva (Kyiv, Ukraine/Optima) and
Alejandra Villanueva (Bogotá, Colombia/French Touch Academy) dropped their second sets in the last two singles matches of the evening.
In the No. 4 spot, Franciscan's Jordan Beltavski jumped ahead in the third set, 2-1, but Villanueva rebounded with a clutch 6-3 victory that tied the match at 3-all.
All eyes in attendance then focused on the marathon being played under the lights on the main court. In perhaps one of the greatest championship battles in PAC history, Grydnieva and Franciscan's Claire Cardie put together a showdown for the ages. It was the Ali-Frazier of PAC women's tennis and a clash of two different styles. Whereas Grydnieva utilized a powerful first serve and was the aggressor, Cardie was patient and defensive. And their title match needed three sets and two tiebreakers to determine a winner.
Although Grydnieva grabbed an early lead in the third, the two went back and forth until the set was tied at 5-5. At deuce, Grydnieva gained a 6-5 advantage with an excellent drop shot, but Cardie once again evened the score at 6-all in the ensuing game. Grydnieva broke Cardie's serve to start the tiebreaker, and tied at 2-2, Allegheny's second-year standout won the next three points. It proved to be an insurmountable lead, and after two-and-a-half hours, Grydnieva finally won the match-deciding point during an extended rally when Cardie sailed a volley just inches too long and over the back line.
Doubles Results
1. Claire Cardie / Kina Ehlers def.
Omega Ba /
Evie Ellenberger, 7-5
2. Jordan Beltavski / Olivia Colby def.
Rei Etsumi /
Nicole Serna Cassan, 6-1
3.
Emiliia Grydnieva /
Adriana Navarro def. Veronica Saunders / Lucy Rochat, 6-3
Singles Results
1.
Emiliia Grydnieva def. Claire Cardie, 6-4, 6-7 (2), 7-6 (4)
2. Olivia Colby def.
Rei Etsumi, 6-2, 6-3
3. Kina Ehlers def.
Nicole Serna Cassan, 6-1, 6-2
4.
Alejandra Villanueva def. Jordan Beltavski, 6-0, 1-6, 6-3
5.
Maria Lounder def. Hazel Mistry, 6-4, 6-1
6.
Evie Ellenberger def. Margaret Vernau, 6-0, 6-1
News and Notes
- Allegheny won its second championship in three seasons in the PAC.
- Both of Allegheny's PAC championships came down to the final match against Franciscan, as the Gators won their first PAC title by a 5-4 score in the fall of 2022.
- The Gators punched their ticket to the 2025 NCAA Division III Championships in May.
- Grydnieva was crowned the PAC Championship Tournament's Most Outstanding Player after her match-deciding victory.
- Villaneuva and Maria Lounder (Pittsburgh, Pa./Moon Area) were also named to the PAC All-Tournament Team.
Up Next
The Gators will enjoy the winter break before returning to action on Sunday, February 16, with a road match at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio.
