BOX SCORE
NCAA CHAMPIONSHIPS BRACKET
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - No. 1-seeded Augustana defeated No. 4-seeded Nebraska-Kearney 5-2 on Sunday afternoon in the Central Region Tournament, advancing the Vikings to the NCAA Championship finals.
Augustana gained a measure of revenge in the win, defeating the team that beat the Vikings out of the NCAA finals last season. This is the furthest Augustana has advanced in program history.
The Vikings started off on the right foot with
Emily Johnson and
Gabrielle Kachena earning the first win of the day with an 8-5 victory at No. 3 doubles.
UNK then tied the score 1-1, coming from behind to win 8-6 at No. 1 doubles.
Hannah Gebauer and
Michelle Wadas edged out a 9-8 victory at No. 2 doubles to give Augustana a 2-1 advantage before singles competition.
Katie Jesperson played No. 2 singles for Augustana and blew past her opponent 6-0, 6-0.
The Lopers earned their second point with a 6-0, 6-4 victory at No. 1 over
Brittany Gaster.
Augustana then had wins at No. 3 and No. 4 singles to finalize the victory.
Michelle Wadas defeated Britney Norfolk 6-4, 6-3 and
Hannah Gebauer pulled out a 7-5 first set victory before downing Nickola Messbarger 6-0 in the second set.
Jill Hagestuen and
Emily Johnson did not complete their matches at No. 5 and No. 6 singles.
The Vikings will play their first round match of the NCAA Championship on May 11 in Altamonte Springs, Fla at Sanlando Park. Augustana will face the winner of the East Region.
