May 2, 2018
For the first time in program history, the St. John’s women’s tennis team sits atop of the conference as the top-seeded Johnnies defeated No. 2 seed DePaul, 4-2, to win the 2018 BIG EAST Women’s Tennis Championships presented by Jeep on Sunday.
With the victory, the Red Storm (17-5) has clinched a spot in the 2018 NCAA Women’s Tennis Tournament with an automatic qualifier and will find out its opponent, location, and date on Tuesday evening.
"Winning the first BIG EAST Championship in program history and making it to the NCAA Tournament is huge and really exciting for the St. John's women's tennis program," said St. John's head coach Lauren Leo. "A team effort was key for a successful 2018 BIG EAST season. We are looking forward to the NCAA Tournament! Go Johnnies!"
DePaul (10-11) had proven to be a thorn in the side of the Johnnies over the recent meetings as the Blue Demons defeated St. John’s, 4-3, in last season’s conference title match and again in Queens on March 30.
Kicking off doubles play, Olaya Inclan Solis and Irina Preotescu won the opening match of the day by a 6-2 score on the middle court before Zofia Stanisz and Jessica Livianu cemented the early 1-0 lead with a 6-4 win on the No. 1 position.
Jaide Collins and Kajsa Stegrell were just moments away from claiming their match at the No. 3 spot as the duo was leading 6-5 when the match was called following the clinched doubles point.
St. John’s claimed two-person play in all three matches at the conference tournament and for the 17th time in 22 opportunities this season.
After the Blue Demons quickly evened the tilt at one with a victory on the No. 4 court, the Johnnies restored the lead when Stegrell rolled to a 6-0, 6-3 win at the six for the freshman’s fifth victory over her last six results.
Livianu pushed the lead to 3-1 with the Brooklyn native’s 16th-straight victory on the top court. The sophomore captured the opening set, 6-1, before adding an exclamation point with a 6-2 triumph in the second to remain perfect against conference foes over her two-year career.
DePaul pulled within one following a win at the No. 3 position to cut the deficit to 3-2 with just two singles matches still in play.
On the No. 2 court, Solis jumped out to a big lead in her opening set to hold on for a 6-3 victory, but fell behind, 5-2, in the second set as the Blue Demons were looking to stay alive in the match. The junior mounted a huge comeback in the set to clinch the win with a 7-6 triumph.
The victory was the third-straight match that Solis has clinched for the Johnnies and was named the tournament’s most outstanding player.
St. John’s will await its NCAA Tournament opponent, location, and time until Tuesday’s selection show on NCAA.com.