Rocky Mount, NC - The North Carolina Wesleyan women's tennis team continued its championship tradition on Saturday afternoon, capturing the 2025 USA South Athletic Conference Tournament title with a 4-0 victory over third-seeded Southern Virginia at the Slick Family Foundation Tennis Center.
The top-seeded Battling Bishops, who hosted the tournament, claimed its third consecutive and seventh overall USA South Tournament crown, clinching the league's automatic berth to the NCAA Tournament.
"This group has shown so much heart and determination all season," said head coach Albie Brice. "To come out and perform the way they did today on this stage says a lot about their preparation and competitive spirit. I'm incredibly proud of this team and excited to see what we can do at the next level."
The Bishops wasted no time seizing momentum in doubles action, dominating at the No. 2 and No. 3 positions. Ivanna Torres and Andrea Elaez Miranda rolled to a 6-0 victory at No. 2 doubles, while the tandem of Linda Nhiwatiwa and Melanie Guzman Gonzalez matched that effort with a 6-0 win at No. 3. The No. 1 match went unfinished with Bethan Fothergill and Renata Torres leading 3-2.
Carrying a 1-0 advantage into singles play, Wesleyan maintained its grip on the match with three straight-set victories. Guzman Gonzalez was the first to finish, posting a flawless 6-0, 6-0 win at No. 6 singles. Ajla Selimovic followed with a 6-1, 6-1 triumph at No. 5 before Fothergill delivered the clinching point at No. 2 with a 6-3, 6-3 victory.
The remaining matches at No. 1, No. 3, and No. 4 singles were left unfinished with the Bishops leading in each.
Elaez Miranda was named Tournament Most Valuable Player, while teammates Fothergill, Selimovic, and Guzman Gonzalez joined her on the USA South All-Tournament Team.
The Bishops improve to 9-6 on the season and now await its NCAA Tournament destination as NCWU prepares for another postseason run.
2025 USA South Women's Tennis All-Tournament Team:
