Tennis Battles to the End in NCAA Tournament Loss at No. 44 Queens

Women's Tennis | 5/2/2017 12:00:00 AM

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Goldey-Beacom gave 44th-ranked Queens (NY) a battle only the former could have anticipated, but left the second-round NCAA Tournament tie with a tough 5-2 loss in Flushing, NY.

GBC (14-4) was appearing in the NCAA Tournament for the sixth time in team history after winning its first Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference title. It was the Lightning's second trip to the second round in the last three years after posting a 5-3 first-round triumph in 2015 over Chestnut Hill.

Goldey-Beacom entered ranked third in the region and was coming off Monday's 5-1 first-round triumph over sixth-seeded Southern New Hampshire. Queens (14-3) was the number two seed and advances to the "Sweet 16" in Florida.

More than a few eyebrows were raised during the doubles portion. Seniors Nina Sengl (Puchheim, Germany) and Francesca Beg (Westbury, England), ranked 10th in the East, broke the ice for the Lightning with an 8-6 win at first doubles.

The 14th doubles victory of the season for each puts them tied for fourth in school history. Sengl ends her career with 47 doubles wins, good for sole possession of fourth place.

With the tie level 1-1, freshmen Alma Garcia Valle (Valladolid, Spain) and Silvia Hortelano Pey (Castelldefels, Spain) at third doubles rallied from a 4-1 deficit to record an 8-6 triumph and give GBC a 2-1 cushion.

The singles portion had many wondering what the ultimate outcome would be. The Lightning took the first set in the number four, five and six matches with those three plus No. 1 singles all requiring a third set.

But in the end, the Knights won all four completed matches in singles.

The loss ends the outstanding careers for Sengl and Beg. Sengl graduates tied for second in school history with 48 singles wins and her 17 this season is tied for second in team annals. Beg's 26 career doubles wins is good for seventh in team history.

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Players Mentioned

Francesca Beg: 5' 10"; Senior

Nina Sengl: 5' 7"; Senior

Alma Garcia Valle: 5' 1"; Freshman

Silvia Hortelano Pey: 5' 7"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

Francesca Beg
: 5' 10"; Senior

Nina Sengl
: 5' 7"; Senior

Alma Garcia Valle
: 5' 1"; Freshman

Silvia Hortelano Pey
: 5' 7"; Freshman