Anderson Locks Up HCAC Regular-Season Title, Fights Past Transylvania

The Anderson University women's tennis team fought past Transylvania University with a 5-4 victory to lock up the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (HCAC) regular-season title during Saturday's HCAC matchup at Top Seed Tennis Club in Nicholasville, Ky.
 
Transylvania (6-3, 6-2) started out with a 2-1 lead after doubles. Porsche Robinson/Jessica Burton (9-2) put together an 8-4 victory for the Pioneers against Katrina Berban (Seguin, Texas/New Braunfels)/Jasmine Blair (Clearwater, Fla./Homeschool/Largo) (11-2) at No. 1 doubles. Transylvania's Sheila Cetina/Merrick Irwin (6-1) secured an 8-5 win against Allison Newman (Greenwood, Ind./Greenwood)/Claire Miller (Indianapolis, Ind./Homeschool) (8-5) at No. 2 doubles. Anderson's Anna Creech (Richmond, Ind./Richmond)/Jordyn Roper (Belleville, Ill./Althoff Catholic) (9-1) finished 5-0 in conference play after taking an 8-4 victory against Alyssa Igyarto/Christina Duvall (2-3) at No. 3 doubles.
 
In singles, Anderson (13-1, 7-0) trailed 2-4, but went 3-0 in three-set matches to take a 5-4 win.
 
"We fell down 1-2 after doubles and really came together. We had to win three more points after Jordyn and they were all in third sets."
 
Cetina (8-2) earned a 7-6 (7-3), 6-2 win against Newman (8-6) at No. 2 singles and Burton (10-2) put together a 6-0, 6-3 win against Blair (11-2) at No. 3 singles.  Roper (12-0) collected a 6-3, 6-3 victory against Duvall (8-4) at No. 6 singles. Berban (14-0) then fought to a 6-3, 0-6, 6-2 victory against Robinson (9-4) at No. 1 singles. Creech (8-3) posted a 2-6, 6-3, 7-5 win against Igyarto (5-6) at No. 5 singles and Miller (12-2) captured a 6-1, 4-6, 6-4 victory against Irwin (6-6) at No. 4 singles.
 
In conference play, Berban went 7-0, Roper finished 6-0 and Creech went 5-0.
 
Despite Anderson's 13-match winning streak, the Ravens have had a handful of matches they have had to grind out the victory.
 
"If you look at our record, it seems like we coasted through this season. The reality is several of these matches came down to being earned in the third set of a final match. I'm really proud of these girls."
 
As the No. 1 seed, Anderson earns a BYE and begins the HCAC Tournament next Saturday in Nicholasville at a time yet to be determined. The Ravens will face the winner of the No. 4 seed vs. No. 5 seed.