UMAC Game of the Week: Northwestern vs. St. Scholastica - Women's Tennis
The UMAC Game of the Week runs each Thursday during the conference regular season and breaks down one key matchup from one sport.
The Matchup
Friday, April 27 - College of St. Scholastica at University of Northwestern, women's tennis, 5 p.m., St. Paul, Minnesota
***UPDATE***
St. Scholastica wins 5-4
What's at Stake
- Rivalry match - Over the last five years, either Northwestern or St. Scholastica has won the UMAC regular season title outright or the two have been co-champions. Last year, the two split their two regular season games and the title before St. Scholastica won the conference tournament championship and ended a three-year postseason winning streak for Northwestern.
- Title path - While both teams will still have matches remaining following their contest Friday, the winner of the contest would likely own a path to the conference title in outright fashion should both be successful in defeating remaining opponents.
Previously in Action
- Northwestern defeated Bethany Lutheran College Wednesday evening 9-0, but will also play at University of Minnesota Morris Thursday afternoon prior to Friday's match with the Saints.
- St. Scholastica clinched a postseason berth with a 6-3 win over Martin Luther College Saturday in New Ulm, Minnesota.
Need to Know
- AQ on the line - For the first time in UMAC history, the conference will receive an automatic qualifying bid to the NCAA tournament for women's tennis. Therefore, should Northwestern or St. Scholastica end up winning the postseason title, that team would be guaranteed a spot in the national championship tournament. This contest could be a preview of what's on the line.
- Tough to beat - In five conference matches this season, St. Scholastica has dropped just three total points between singles and doubles with all three coming against a Martin Luther team that has also clinched a postseason berth. In three matches to date, Northwestern has surrendered just two singles points and none in doubles.
- Just one - In the last five years in which the two have shared or traded championships, this will be the first season in which the two teams will play just one conference match against each UMAC squad after two conference members added programs this season.
Players to Watch - Northwestern
- Nikki Edin Paskewitz, Jr. - All-UMAC last season; UMAC stats: 2-1 singles (No. 1 and 2), 3-0 doubles (No. 1)
- Emily Knight, Jr. - All-UMAC last season; UMAC stats: 3-0 singles (No. 2 and 3), 3-0 doubles (No. 1 and 2)
- Brooke Lapinski, Sr. - All-UMAC last season; UMAC stats: 1-0 singles (No. 1), 1-0 doubles (No. 1)
Players to Watch - St. Scholastica
- Alexia Brascugli, Sr., - UMAC Stats: 2-0 singles (No. 5), 2-0 doubles (No. 1 and 2)
- Sarah Coryell, Sr. - All-UMAC last season, UMAC Stats: 4-0 UMAC (No. 2 and 3), 4-0 doubles (No. 1, 2 and 3)
- Daniela Rojas, Sr. - UMAC Stats: 4-1 singles (No. 1 and 2), 1-1 doubles (No. 1)
This game will be a "can't miss." Get in on the action by interacting on social media (#UMACgotw).
2017-18 Game of the Week Archives