Northwest Wayne News

The Wayne State University women's tennis team, seeded 11th, is set to compete against the 6th-seeded Dallas Baptist University in the NCAA Finals Round of 16. The match will take place on Wednesday, May 21, at Sanlando Park in Altamonte Springs, Florida.

The winner of this contest will face either Midwestern State University or Rockhurst University in the National Quarterfinals on Thursday, May 22.

Wayne State has participated in its fourth consecutive NCAA Tournament and reached the NCAA Finals (Sweet Sixteen) for the third time in a row. Over this period, they have achieved an 8-3 record in NCAA Tournament matches. Notably, during their first Sweet Sixteen appearance in 2014, Yahsha Moore pushed the No. 2-ranked player Aleksandra Filipovski to a third set before their match was halted as WSU lost to Armstrong Atlantic State University.

Recently, Wayne State secured a victory over Tiffin University with a close score of 4-3 during the final round of the NCAA Midwest Regional. Martyna Szpakowska clinched the win for Wayne State with her performance in singles play.

Dallas Baptist enters this stage with a strong record of 23-4 and recently claimed their first Lone Star Conference Tournament title. Emily Buchanan leads DBU's team with an undefeated singles record and has received accolades as LSC Women's Tennis Player of the Year and ITA South Central Region Player to Watch. Wade Morgan, head coach for DBU, was honored as ITA South Central Region Coach of the Year and National ITA Coach of the Year.

Midwestern State boasts a 21-3 overall record and features seven student-athletes who earned All-LSC honors. Scott Linn serves as their head coach and has been named LSC Coach of the Year nine times.

Rockhurst holds an overall record of 18-5 after winning both their division title and tournament championship within the Great Lakes Valley Conference. Head coach Jamie McDonald has led them to their first NCAA Round of 16 appearance and received GLVC Coach of the Year recognition.