Box Score MOBILE, Ala. (May 17, 2023) – St. Thomas University (STU) Women's Tennis (20-6) continue to battle for the red banner and etch their name in STU history. With a 4-2 win in the round of 16 over No. 7 Middle Georgia State, St. Thomas advances for to the NAIA Quarterfinals for the first time in program history in the new format established in 2000.
 
Doubles play started out hot as the team won their 20^th doubles point of the season. Annie Carrera and Lia Pena did quick work on court three. Winning 6-0 to collect the first win of the day. The point was secured with a win on one from Isabella Ciancaglini Ribera and Maria Carme Ibanez Navarro took it 6-2. Carrera and Pena have now won four straight doubles matches while Ciancaglini Ribera and Ibanez Navarro have won three straight.
 
Singles play would have to opponents to battle, the heat and the Knights. As the sun came straight over the courts, the Bobcats continued to fight through and would eventually come out on top.
 
Annie Carrera made it a 2-0 match after sweeping in straight sets 6-4, 6-4 on court four. Middle Georgia would pick up their first match point as Jameson Geoffreys lost on court six 5-7, 3-6.
 
The Knights tied the match at 2-2 as Lia Pena took the loss on court two, 6-7[3], 3-6.
 
Coming down to the wire and all fighting a three-set match, Jenesie Burgos and Ciancaglini Ribera had the best shot at closing in to clinch the match. Ciancaglini Ribera closed it out first at 6-3, 5-7, 6-3. Burgos clinched the match for STU coming back to win the last two sets and pick up the fourth point (4-6, 6-4, 7-5).
 
Ibanez Navarro was battling it out on court won and worked her way back into it after falling 3-6 in set one and then took set two 6-2 while being down 5-0 in set three and work a winner take all tie breaker in set three. The match was abandoned tied at 6-6[6].
 
St. Thomas survived another day and will now advance to play No. 2 Georgia Gwinnett, Thursday, May 18 at 10 a.m. Eastern time.