ROME, Ga. – After a historic run in the national elite tournament, the Nova Southeastern women's tennis tandem's competition ended on Sunday, as Natalie Espinal and Sarah Wardenburg were defeated in the semifinals of the ITA Cup Doubles Championship. The pair finished with a 4-1 record overall, as the first team from the program to receive an invite to the tournament.
 
Doubles Play
After twice more being delayed for rain at the Rome Tennis Center, Espinal and Wardenburg took to the court on Sunday with the ITA Cup DII Championship already in hand. However, top-seeded NAIA Champs Lailaa Bashir and Angela Charles-Alfred from Xavier (La.) ultimately came out on top in a gritty battle, 6-4, 7-6 (2), ending the NSU duo's run.

In addition, Espinal was 2-1 in singles and reached the semifinal this weekend.
 
Direct From Coach Doug Neagle
"What a great week for these two. NSU has never had a national champion in tennis for an individual or team before. For Sarah and Natalie to be the first speaks volumes. Today was tough for them to get back up for another match after winning the DII Championship. Their opponents played well and were tricky to play against as well. This was a very positive week for these two young ladies and NSU tennis. "

Up Next
The pair will rejoin the team in fall practice and the whole NSU squad will return to the court Nov. 1-3 in DeLand, Fla. at the Stetson Invitational.
 
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