Fayetteville, N.C. - NCWC tennis opened its fall schedule over the weekend at Methodist University's Fall Invitational. The Bishops were led by Valeria Berber and Ana Diaz, who each earned championships in their draws.
As a team, the Bishops posted a 14-4 record in singles action, which included 3-0 records by Berber in Draw #3 and Diaz in Draw #6. Natalia Lopez (#1) and Florencia Sorrentino (#5) also reached the championship matches of their flights en route to runner-up finishes.
In Draw #2, Rachel Hui dropped her opening match to Meredith's Ran Zhang in a tightly-contested three-setter, but the sophomore battled back to take the consolation championship by dropping just three games in her two victories.
Freshman Stephany Barbera rounded out singles play with a 1-1 record in Draw #4, picking up her first collegiate win over Bluefield's Rebecca Havens (6-2, 6-2).
In doubles play, Lopez and Berber reached the championship match of Draw #1, but the duo eventually fell to Division II opponents from Mt. Olive University. The tandem of Hui/Barbera also made a championship appearance in Draw #2, and like their teammates, tallied a runner-up finish to Trojan players. Sorrentino and Diaz managed an opening round win at #3 before falling in the quarterfinals.
The Bishops will now prepare for the ITA Fall Regional that begins in Sewanee, Tenn. on October 2nd.