BETHLEHEM, Pa. --- After missing the playoffs for the first time in 20 years last spring, the Moravian College women's tennis team returns to the Landmark Conference Tournament this year as the second seed, and the Greyhounds will host third seeded The Catholic University of America in a semifinal match at Hoffman Courts beginning at 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 23.
The Hounds are 14-3 on the year including a 9-0 slate at Hoffman Courts, and Moravian was 5-1 during the regular season with the only blemish being a 5-4 loss at The University of Scranton on April 8. The Royals are the top seed in the tournament and hosting fourth seed Juniata College on Wednesday as well.
"Our team goal was to make it to the semifinals and win," stated 28-year Head Coach Dawn Ketterman-Benner, who will be retiring from Moravian after the seasons. "We are ready to make it happen."
Senior Katie Zien leads Moravian with a 16-3 singles record this season, and she is 11-2 in the third singles slot and 6-0 in Landmark action. Freshman Brittney Eady has posted a 15-4 mark in singles in her debut season with a 10-3 record at second singles. The duo has combined for a 16-3 slate while playing second doubles for the Hounds.
Senior Melissa Follett has a 13-8 singles record this year, and she is 10-7 while playing first singles. Senior Erica Venuti, sophomore Courtnie Lambert and freshman Selina Ocasio all have 12 singles victories in 2013-14. Venuti is 12-9 overall with a 10-7 mark at fourth singles while Lambert is 12-4 overall and 11-4 at sixth singles. Ocasio has posted a 12-3 record with a 10-3 slate at fifth singles.
Follett and Venuti have played as the Greyhounds top doubles tandem this year with an 11-8 record. Ocasio is played third doubles with freshman Julia Atiyeh and the duo is 7-6 this spring.
The winner of Wednesday's semifinal match will advance to the 2014 Landmark Conference Championship contest on Saturday at the highest remaining seed with the conference champion earning an automatic berth to the 2014 NCAA Division III Tournament in May.
