WICHITA FALLS, Texas -- –
Jessica Binzari completed a come-from-behind victory at No. 1 singles with a cross-court forehand off the sideline, and No. 3-ranked Midwestern State defeated No. 20-ranked Lubbock Christian, 4-2, to win South Central Regional I and earn its second consecutive trip to the NCAA Division II finals site.
Binzari overcame a shaky start to defeat Anastasiia Opolska in the clinching match, 2-6, 6-3, 6-4.
Interim head coach
Vinicius Oliveira said Binzari's opponent provided a unique challenge to the No. 6-ranked singles player in NCAA Division II women's tennis.
"Opolska has a really different style of play, and we had to make tactical changes. Once we implemented those changes, I think that put Jess in a better position to take that match," Oliveira said.
Binzari chalked up her fourth straight victory and improved to 17-4 for the season.
The top-seeded Mustangs lost their previous two dual matches, but Oliveira said the women's team came into the regional dual with confidence.
"I think every single lady stepped out there expecting to win."
The Mustangs took the early lead as
Hannah Yip and
Camila Garcia clinched the doubles point with a 6-3 victory over Alexandra Luders and Opolska at No. 2 doubles.
Sydney Williams and
Sarah Mazaraki gave the Mustangs an early spark with a 6-2 triumph over Oshini Herath and Mariia Koroleva.
Williams and Mazaraki are 15-4 at No. 3 doubles for the Mustangs and have won eight of their last 10 matches, including a 7-5 win over Herath and Koroleva in Lubbock on March 28.
"Sydney and Sarah did a really good job getting ahead and giving us that lead while looking to the other courts and providing energy," Oliveira said.
Williams extended the Mustangs lead to 2-0 with a routine 6-2, 6-2 win over Alexandra Luders at No. 6 singles.
"Sydney meant business today. She stepped on court, and she knew what she had to do. She went and got business done," Oliveira said.
Koroleva got the Lady Chaps on the board with a surprising 3-6, 6-1, 6-0 victory over
Anda Ghinga, who had a 13-match winning streak halted at No. 3 singles.
The Lady Chaps pulled even with the Stang Gang as Andrea De Bernardo upended Yip at No. 2 singles, 7-6 (3), 6-3.
Sofia Giraldo earned a crucial point for the Mustangs at No. 4 singles, winning a strenuous baseline battle with Herath, 6-3, 7-6 (6).
Giraldo notched her 12th consecutive win for the Mustangs and put MSU on the precipice of its 10th all-time berth in the NCAA Division II national tournament.
"Sofia enjoys the battle. She likes those situations. She doesn't mind having to work hard, and that's her tennis. She plays her style and sticks to the plan," Oliveira said.
The Mustangs are in the field of 16 regional champions that will compete in a single-elimination tournament to reach the championship final at Sanlando Park in Altamonte Springs, Florida. The first round commences on May 21 and the final is scheduled for May 25.
"Florida is not going to be easy," Oliveira said. "Sticking to the plan and sticking to our identity are the two keys."
Oliveira guided the program back to the national tournament after
Scott Linn stepped down in March to accept a position as Chief Advancement Officer at East Central University in Ada, Oklahoma.
"I've been learning every single day on how to get this program better. I am happy to be in a situation where I can learn and keep getting my girls better and better so we can keep going throughout the postseason," Oliveira said.
The young Brazilian started the season as a graduate assistant under the tutelage of Linn.
"I cherish how much of a mentor he was to me," Oliveira said. "I just implement what I was taught, and that's on a daily basis."
-- MSUMustangs.com --
