SIOUX FALLS, S.D – The Winona State University women's tennis team opened the NSIC Tournament with a nail-biting victory over the University of Sioux Falls, 4-3.

In a match that the Warriors trailed almost the whole way, WSU was able to capture two wins within minutes of each other to go from being down 2-3 to clinching the match with a 4-3 victory.

Sara Anderson tied the contest at three apiece with a 7-6, 6-1 victory over USF at No. 4 singles, and Rachel Kelly soon after won the second-set tiebreaker over her opponent in a 6-0, 7-6 decision to clinch the match in favor of Winona State and send them into the NSIC Tournament semifinals.

The Warriors found themselves in unfamiliar territory after dropping two of three doubles matches to trail 0-1 heading into singles play.

Beth Murman started to swing momentum in favor of Winona State by cruising to a 6-2, 6-2 victory at No. 2 singles. Sioux Falls took the momentum right back with wins at No. 5 and No. 6 singles to go ahead 3-1 and put the Warriors on brink of elimination.

Rina Niehoff won easily at No. 3 singles (6-1, 6-2) to add a second team point to the scoreboard, and with just two matches left on the courts, WSU needed both to advance to the next round.

That's exactly what happened. Anderson had to go the full length in the first set, but won the tiebreaker, and then took the second set easily, 6-1. Kelly worked quickly in the first set, winning 6-0, and trailed most of the second set before providing heroics to clinch the match with a 7-6 (8-6) second-set victory.

Winona State will advance to the 2022 NSIC Women's Tennis Tournament semifinals tomorrow, Apr. 23, at 2:00pm. The Warriors will square off against Southwest Minnesota State University in the semifinals, a team they defeated 6-1 earlier this season.

For the most up to date news in Warrior Athletics, please visit: www.WINONASTATEWARRIORS.com and @WinonaStateATH.
About Winona State University Athletics: 

The Winona State University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics, as an integral part of the educational mission of the institution, is committed to offering opportunities to experience academic and athletic excellence for our student-athletes through two simple words: Graduate Champions.  

Fourteen Warrior programs compete at the NCAA Division II level within the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC).  Winona State University competes as an affiliate member of the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) in the sport of women's gymnastics.