Surprise, Ariz. –The University of Findlay women's tennis team, ranked No. 14 in the country, made history on Tuesday, May 19 as they secured their first-ever NCAA Division II National Championship Tournament victory. The Oilers punched their ticket to the national quarterfinals with a hard-fought 4-1 win over the 12 seed, #21 Point Loma Nazarene in the opening round of the national finals at the Surprise Tennis & Racquet Club. The win continues a dominant season for the Oilers, who now have a record of 22-1 on the season.
Comments from Coach Westmeyer
Similar to regionals, in the first match with all the emotion and the circumstances of the moment, it can take a second for the players to settle in. They showed real mental toughness and worked through it and found a way to win. This team is extremely motivated with great leadership, and is excited about getting the first win in program history at nationals. However, they want more and are ready to compete tomorrow.
Findlay gained the early momentum against the Sea Lions by securing the opening doubles point in a battle. Point Loma struck first at the No. 2 flight, but the Oilers quickly answered at No. 3 as Maria Batinic and Polina Zaytseva notched a 6-4 win over Zoe Moley and Melissa Zirkle. The nation's 18th-ranked duo of Anamarija Kovacevic and Audrey Ouellet then officially clinched the doubles point for Findlay, defeating the 43rd-ranked pair of Anna Pallencaoe and E Valencia Andrejeva 6-3 at the No. 1 position.
That doubles victory for Kovacevic is the 85th in her career which is a new program record for doubles wins, passing Elina Ivanova who had 84 from 2021-2025.
Carrying a 1-0 lead into singles, the match saw Point Loma briefly even the score at 1-1 with a victory at the No. 4 flight. However, the heart of the Findlay lineup took control of the momentum. Valentina Salek was the next off the court, reclaiming the lead for the Oilers with a 6-4, 6-1 victory over Anna Pallencaoe at No. 3 singles. Maria Batinic then pushed the team lead to 3-1 with a grinding 6-2, 6-3 win over Valencia Andrejeva at the No. 2 spot.
Ivanova Lucera then delivered the historic clinching blow for the Oilers. Competing at No. 6 singles, Lucera defeated Melissa Zirkle 6-3, 6-4 to secure the 4-1 team victory and end the match.
When the dual was clinched, the remaining two singles flights were abandoned. At the top of the lineup, #61 Anamarija Kovacevic was leading in a third set (6-2, 4-6, 2-0) against Alina Kupfer, while Audrey Ouellet held a set lead at the No. 5 flight (7-5, 1-3) against Zoe Moley.
The Oilers will now take on #6 and 4th seeded Catawba College (NC) in the national quarterfinals. That match will begin at 4 pm MST (7 pm EST) tomorrow, May 20.