MIDLAND, Mich. -- Northwood (Mich.) advanced to the second round of the NCAA tournament with a 5-3 win against Tiffin on Monday afternoon.
Northwood, seeded second in the Midwest Region, remains undefeated on the season with a 22-0 overall record. Tiffin, the seventh seed, sees its season come to an end with a 20-8 record.
The Timberwolves got off to a strong start in doubles, winning the first two matches. The duo of Anna Aniskina and Anastasiia Kazub picked up an 8-2 win at the No. 3 position to take an early 1-0 lead. Darina Berkova and Anastasia Puchkina then made it 2-0 with an 8-5 victory at the No. 1 position. NU had a chance to go up 3-0, leading 7-6 at No. 2 doubles, but the Dragons rallied to win 9-7 and send the match to singles NU on top 2-1.
It was the bottom of the Northwood lineup that came up big in the singles matches, as NU posted straight-set wins at the fourth through sixth flights. Inesa Asatryan earned the first win in singles, claiming a 6-1, 6-2 victory at the No. 4 position. Tiffin picked up the next two wins, claiming straight-set wins at the Nos. 2 and 3 matches to level the overall score 3-3. But Northwood closed out decisive victories at five and six singles, thanks to wins by Aniskina and Margarita Asatryan. Asatryan won at the sixth position 6-3, 6-0 which was followed moments later by Aniskina claiming a 6-2, 6-0 win at No. 5 singles to close out the match.
Northwood will now face third-seeded Wayne State (Mich.) in the second round on Tuesday.
