West Windsor, NJ –The Wagner College women's tennis team made history at the NEC Tennis Tournament on Thursday, becoming the first Wagner women's squad to advance to the semifinals of the tournament since 2001 and the first #6 seed since 2018 to upset a #3 in the quarterfinals of the event.
The Seahawks defeated Stonehill 4-1 behind strong doubles play and clutch performances at the top of the singles lineup.
The doubles point came down to court #3. Freshmen Claudia Lindsey and Liepa Sataite won 6-1 on court #1 while sophomore Dariana Vera and freshman Victoria Madail fell 6-0 on court #2. New York City natives Daniela Hernandez (Queens) and Samantha Bentsianov (Staten Island) won their #3 doubles match 6-4 to clinch the point.
In singles, Hernandez was first off court with a convincing 6-1, 6-3 win. Madison Warren put Stonehill on the board with a 6-4, 6-3 win over Wagner senior Paula Uy. However, it was all Wagner everywhere else.
Vera was leading a third set on court #5, 4-6, 6-1, 4-1. Lindsey was up a set and on serve for Wagner on court #6. Madail took her match at #2 over fellow NEC Rookie, Lilah Shallcross, 6-4, 6-4.
Sataite was the clincher, reversing a three set loss to Julie Holte in the fall. This time it was Sataite, 2-6, 6-0, 6-3 to send Wagner to the semifinals on Friday against Saint Francis (PA). The Seahawks will look to reverse a 4-3 loss to the Red Flash from March 15.
