SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The Augustana women's tennis team defeated Northwest Missouri State Tuesday afternoon by a score of 4-1 and has advanced to the NCAA National Championships for the second time in program history. Mia Garcia scored the final point with set scores of 7-6 (7-4), 6-4. 

The Vikings clinched a pivotal doubles point with wins by Fernanda Sandoval/Nicole Dufour and Simone Karaouza/Smilte Bakyte. 

In singles play, Karaouza scored a win on court six, 6-3 6-3, Sandoval won on court three, 6-3, 6-4 and Garcia garnered the win from court two, 7-6 (7-4), 6-4.

Inside the Match
Final: Augustana 4, Northwest Missouri State 1
Records: Augustana (18-4), Northwest Missouri State (16-9)

Summary

Singles
Dufour played No. 33 Marielena Muench, 3-6, 6-6 (unfinished).
Garcia defeated No. 59 Alva Norberg, 7-6 (7-4), 6-4.
Sandoval defeated Polina Gontaryk, 6-3, 6-4. 
Gabriela Jancikova played Carolina Oliveria, 6-7 (4-7), 6-4, 0-0 (unfinished).
No. 63 Bakyte fell to Miru Nonaka, 6-3, 6-2.
Karaouza defeated Camilla Franzin, 6-3, 6-3. 

Order of Finish: 5, 6, 3, 2

Doubles
No. 39 Dufour/Sandoval defeated Franzin/Muench, 6-1.
Jancikova/Garcia fell to Norberg/Nonaka, 6-2.
Bakyte/Karaouza defeated Oliveria/Gontaryk, 6-2. 

Order of Finish: 1, 2, 3

Up Next
Following the preliminary rounds, the field of 16 teams competes in a single-elimination competition to reach the championship final. Matches begin with the first round on Wednesday, May 21 and continue through the championship match on Sunday, May 25 at 9 a.m. (est.) at Sanlando Park in Altamonte Springs, Florida.