INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. -- The season isn't over yet for a pair of Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference women's tennis players, as they earned a trip to the 2017 NCAA Division III Women's Tennis Singles Championship held in Chattanooga, Tenn.
Southwestern University freshman Mary Cardone earned her spot in the event and is joined by Trinity University senior Liza Southwick.
Cardone, who was tabbed SCAC Player and Newcomer of the Year earlier this week, boasts a 20-0 mark in singles competition. The San Antonio native is 11-0 at the second spot and 9-0 at the top position.
Cardone is the first player in Southwestern women's tennis program history to earn a bid to the national tournament.
This season, Southwick has amassed an overall record of 12-8 at #1 singles, and stands at 11-6 against Division III opponents. Southwick is ranked eighth in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association West Region.
This is her first appearance in the NCAA Singles Championships, though she has competed alongside teammate Marie Lutz in the Doubles Championship the past two years.
For the individual championships, the national committee selected seven singles players and three doubles teams from each of the four regions. Additionally, the committee then selected the remaining four singles players and four doubles team berths from a national at-large pool. The individual championships will consist of 32 singles players and 16 doubles teams.
The selection of teams and individuals for the championships is based on win-lost record, strength of schedule and eligibility and availability of student-athletes.
The draw for the individual championship will be done by the women’s tennis committee and will be released on the last day of the team championship.
To view the full NCAA release, click here.
