KALAMAZOO, Mich. - The Kalamazoo College women's tennis team defeated Saint Mary's College 5-2 inside the Markin Center in an MIAA Tournament semifinal match on Wednesday. The Hornets advance to the MIAA Tournament championship at Hope on Friday at 4 p.m.
Kalamazoo led 2-1 after doubles. Helen Pelak and Caroline Norton won 8-2 at two doubles to get things started. After an 8-5 win at three by the Belles, Laura Hanselman and Sonal Bahl held on for an 8-6 win at one to give Kalamazoo the lead.
Norton made quick work at four singles with a 6-0, 6-1 win to put the Hornets up 3-1. Maddy Winarski made it 4-1 Kalamazoo with a 6-0, 4-6, 6-2 win at two.
Saint Mary's picked up a point at three singles with a 7-5, 3-6, 6-2 win before Laura Hanselman won the clincher 6-2, 2-6, 7-6(3) at one to give the Hornets the win.
Ella Knight was leading 7-5, 5-0 when the match was decided.
Top-seeded Hope defeated Calvin 5-0 in Wednesday's other semifinal giving the Flying Dutch the home court in Friday's championship match. The winner earns the league's automatic bid to the NCAA III Championships.