Hempstead, NY –Junior transfer Avika Sagwal (New Delhi, India/Delhi Public High School [Southeastern Louisiana]) and newcomer Rina Baynes (Johns Creek, GA/Chattahoochee) captured top honors in the Hofstra University Invitational "B" Singles and "A" Singles Consolation bracket on Saturday afternoon.

"I couldn't be more happier for Avika and Rina's performance over the last two days," commented second-year head coach  Adrienn Hidvegi.  "They played extremely well over the last two days and the success that they achieved are a testament to the hard-work they have put in practice. Also, I am very happy for the entire as a whole, as we got a lot of experience playing against members from Hofstra, Colgate and Saint Peters.  I think this tournament helped our girls prepare for the reminder of the fall season and what is to come in the upcoming spring season." 
 
Sagwal, who secured a first-round bye in the "B" singles bracket, went on to defeat Cheyenne Brown of Colgate, 8-5, in the quarterfinals and posted a thrilling comeback in the semifinals against another Colgate Raider, Nicole Szcezch.  After picking up the first set, 6-4, Sagwal faltered in set number two, as Szcezch evened the match at one with a 7-5 decision.  In the tiebreaker, Sagwal was determined and kept her composure as she was able to best her counterpart, 10-6 to advance to the finals.  
 
In the championship of the "B" singles, Sagwal took on Sarah Herndon of the host school, Hofstra.  Sagwal routed Herndon, 6-2; 6-1 for her first individual championship as a member of the Wagner tennis program.  

In the consolation bracket of the "A" singles, Baynes was able to defeat Lucia Radovic of Saint Peter's, 8-4. 
 
Baynes knew of her final opponent for the championship as Elena Melian Puigventos was able to get past Wagner's 2014 All-Northeast Conference selection, Samantha Hodges (Encinitas, CA/San Dieguito Academy), 8-4, which setup an NEC vs. Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) showdown for the championship.
 
Baynes was able to perform brilliantly, defeating Melian Puigventos, 8-3, for the Seahawks second individual crown of the day.  
 
After reaching the Hofstra Women's Invitational Doubles' semifinals, senior Marina Rull Valvieso (Barcelona, Spain/IES Antony Cumella [Tarleton State]) and Sagwal were bested by the Colgate tandem of Jennifer Ho and Laure Hyland.  
 
In the second semifinal of the day, another Colgate vs. Wagner matchup was on tap as Hodges and Baynes were partners against the Raiders' Katie Grant and Kaelin Brittin.  A back-and-forth affair occurred between the duos but in the end, the championship featured an all-Colgate outing, as Grant/Brittin defeated Hodges/Baynes, 6-4.  
 
The women's tennis team will be back in action tomorrow as they welcome the Siena Saints to Staten Island.  
 
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