Women's tennis repeats as West Division champs

Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 CLARKS SUMMIT, PA (April 27, 2013) - The Penn State Berks women's tennis team won its second-straight North Eastern Athletic Conference (NEAC) West Division Tournament after defeating Penn State Harrisburg, 5-1, and Wells College, 5-2, on Saturday afternoon at Birchwood Tennis Club. (Penn State Harrisburg Boxscore) (Wells Boxscore)

The Nittany Lions earned the No. 1 seed in the tournament after finishing the regular-season with a conference record of 7-0. It was the second straight year that Berks beat the Express to win the tournament.

In the semifinal round win over Harrisburg, Berks set the tone early with a sweep in doubles play. Crystal Hitz and Elizabeth Kehm had a tough battle at the No. 1 spot, but the duo emerged with an 8-6 victory. Samantha Warga and Allison Monkman were 8-2 winners at second doubles, while Kristina Hatter and Taylor Keselica picked up an 8-1 win at the third flight.

Warga cruised to a 6-4, 6-2 win at No. 3 singles and pulled the Nittany Lions within one win of clinching the match. Monkman (No. 4) was well on her way to a win, but it was stopped short as Kehm wrapped up the match with a 7-5, 6-2 victory at second singles.

There has not been a better matched and more thrilling round of doubles play then the one that took place in the championship round against the Express. Hitz and Kehm pulled out a 9-7 win at No. 1, while Hatter and Keselica were 8-6 winners at third doubles. Warga and Monkman fought hard, but were on the losing end of an 8-6 decision at second doubles.

Hitz, Kehm, and Monkman won their singles matches in straight sets to give Berks its sixth conference title.

The Nittany Lions will face Colby-Sawyer College, the NEAC East Division Champion, on Sunday, May 5 with a trip the NCAA Championship on the line. But next up for Berks is the NEAC West Individual Tournament on Sunday, April 28 at Birchwood Tennis Club.

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Players Mentioned

Allison Monkman: 5' 8"; Sophomore

Crystal Hitz: 5' 7"; Junior

Sam Warga: 5' 6"; Senior

Kristina Hatter: 5' 2"; Sophomore

Taylor Keselica: 5' 6"; Sophomore

Elizabeth Kehm: 5' 3"; Sophomore

Players Mentioned

Allison Monkman
: 5' 8"; Sophomore

Crystal Hitz
: 5' 7"; Junior

Sam Warga
: 5' 6"; Senior

Kristina Hatter
: 5' 2"; Sophomore

Taylor Keselica
: 5' 6"; Sophomore

Elizabeth Kehm
: 5' 3"; Sophomore