HAMDEN, Conn. — The Sacred Heart University women's tennis team competed in day one of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Masters Tournament hosted by Quinnipiac University from October 3–5 at the QU Tennis Courts.
Sophomore Ola Irla Bartyzel advanced to the finals of the MAAC Masters Singles Championship following an impressive run through the bracket. The No. 6 seed opened with a 3-6, 6-0 (10-3) victory over Siena's Madeline DeFaber-Schumacher, followed by a 6-3, 3-6 (10-4) quarterfinal win against Fairfield's No. 3 seed Anna Neyestani. In the semifinals, Bartyzel defeated Quinnipiac's No. 2 seed Caitlin Flower, 6-1, 6-3, to secure her spot in the championship match, where she will face top-seeded Willow Renton of Quinnipiac.
In doubles play, Bartyzel teamed up with freshman Ava Nelson, and the pair advanced to the semifinals of the MAAC Masters Doubles Championship. The duo opened with a 6-0 win over Merrimack and followed with a 6-4 victory over Quinnipiac's No. 2-seeded tandem of Anghar Shankar and Emily Meng.
Nelson also picked up a singles win, defeating Merrimack's Jordan Phillips 6-2, 6-1 in the opening round before falling to Quinnipiac's Renton, 6-4, 6-0. Additionally, freshman Savita Bagirathan and junior Hana Hofmanova recorded a first-round doubles victory over Siena, 6-2.
Next up for the Pioneers will be the ITA Regional Championships at Harvard University. Play commences on Thursday, October 9th.
