MIAMI GARDENS,Fla. (April 6, 2022) - The receiving votes St. Thomas University Women's Tennis team (10-9, 2-3 SUN) completed a trip to Indiana to compete in the IWU Invitational, hosted by Indiana Wesleyan Univesrity, with 16 other NAIA tennis programs from around the country. During the week the Bobcats played no. 3 Indiana Wesleyan, Lewis-Clark State College (Idaho), Huntington University (Ind.), and RV Marian University (Ind.). The team compiled a 3-1 record, while only losing a tight match to the third ranked Indiana Wesleyan Wildcats.

Playing indoors for the first time in many of the players' tennis careers, the team first squared off with IWU. The match concluded with a 4-2 loss after wins on courts four and five that were coupled with extremely tight losses on courts 3 and 6 singles. Throughout the match, it was clear that the team would not go down easy, giving a strong effort across the board. With the win Indiana Wesleyan improved to 33-3 on the season and their coach had great things to say about the Bobcats, "We have four top 10 wins, and they are one of the best teams we have played this year," said IWU Head Coach, Eddy Shigley.

During the IWU match, there were two upset victories as Maria Camila Puente took the match to upset #30 ITA ranked Thais Mendez in three sets, 6-3, 4-6, 10-8. Carme Ibanez Navarro took court five to upset #39 ranked Melanie Dveksler in straight sets 7-5, 7[6]-6.

Following the tight loss to IWU, the Bobcats bounced back with a convincing win over LCSC, 4-1. The team won a tough fought doubles point, with each court earning a 6-3 victory over their respective opponents. Using the momentum, the team quickly won three out of the next four singles matches on court with wins coming from Lauren Seemann 6-4, 6-4 at second singles, Annie Carrera 6-4, 6-1 at third singles, and Maria Camila Puente 6-1, 6-3 at fourth singles. Lia Pena suffered the only loss of the day at number 1 singles.

The Bobcats next faced Huntington University in a near freezing dual match that took place outdoors in 37-degree weather. The elements did not phase the Bobcats, as they secured a convincing 7-0 victory over the Foresters.

To wrap up the IWU invite, the Bobcats squared off with fellow Receiving Votes partner, Marian University, in another chilly, outdoor matchup. In the latest national polls, Marian checked in just one spot below the Bobcats; however, STU had an impressive performance and defeated the Knights by a score of 4-0. Sun Conference Player of the Week, Maria Camila Puente, teamed up with Annie Carrera to secure the doubles point 7-6 (7-5) after Lia Pena and Carme Ibanez Navarro won easily on court two 6-2.

Using the momentum from a tight doubles point, the Bobcats dominated in singles action winning four out of six first sets. The bottom of the lineup ended up carrying the day for STU with wins at four, five, and six all before Marian was able to earn a victory on any other court. Puente dispatched her opponent at court three 6-1, 6-0, while Ibanez Navarro won at five 6-0, 6-1, and senior Manami Maehama filled in for an injured player on court six and clinched the match with a 6-1, 6-1 victory.

"Overall, the week was a huge success for our women's team. We took care of business against teams that we needed to beat, while also playing an extremely tight match with the third ranked team in the country. This team fights every match and is very dangerous against any team in the country with the way that we have played over the last month of the season. This week we have two more opportunities to impress the ranking committee with matches against opponents that are receiving votes or ranked opponents that will help determine the end of our season," stated Head Coach, Matt Roche.