CEDAR CITY, Utah -- Southern Utah women's tennis team pulled off a close win on Senior Day against North Dakota.

After four and a half hours of battling, the Thunderbirds came out on top with a nail biting 4-3 victory over the Fighting Hawks of North Dakota.

Starting off in the doubles competition, North Dakota came out confident taking all three spots to take the doubles point.

In the singles competition, the Thunderbirds stepped up their game with Ghita Nassik fighting her way to a win in the No. 1 spot against Carmen Palumbo of North Dakota. Nassik made away with the first set after lots of intense rallies, and made a comeback after being down in the second set for a well deserved victory.

Zoe Tanti won the No. 2 spot in a close contest against her opponent (6-2, 2-6, 6-3) putting Southern Utah ahead 2-1 overall. T-Bird Alex Ngo made a stand in the No. 6 spot winning 6-3, 6-2.

The Fighting Hawks responded in the No. 4 and 5 spots evening out the score 3-3.

Finally, Eira Tobrand and Isa Sullivan fought in a grueling battle back and forth in nail biting rallies, trading off points and sets until Sullivan hit the last ball out of bounds which ended the match. Tobrand's win in the No. 3 spot put the Thunderbirds up 4-3 overall to win.

Words from Coach Ketmayura

After the match, head coach Rose Ketmayura remarked, "We battled when we needed to and came out on top for our senior day."

Coming Up Next

The next match will be on Saturday, April 21 at 12 p.m. in Moscow, Idaho against the University of Idaho.

The match on Sunday, April 22 at 10 a.m. in Cheney, Wash. against the Eastern Washington University.

Follow Us

Follow the Thunderbirds all season @SUUWTennis on Twitter and Instagram and by liking the Southern Utah Women's Tennis page on Facebook.

Read all about the Thunderbirds sports on www.suutbirds.com.

North Dakota vs Southern Utah University

Apr 14, 2018 at Cedar City, Utah

(Thunderbird Tennis Courts)

Southern Utah University 4, North Dakota 3

Singles competition

1. NASSIK, Ghita (SUU) def. Palumbo, Carmen (UND) 6-4, 7-5

2. TANTI, Zoe (SUU) def. Hartnett, Elly (UND) 6-2, 2-6, 6-3

3. TOBRAND, Eira (SUU) def. Sullivan, Isa (UND) 3-6, 7-6, 7-5

4. Kasilingam, Preethi (UND) def. SAGIAO, Charity (SUU) 6-4, 6-3

5. Finnigan, Zahra (UND) def. LOWRANCE, Mikala (SUU) 6-0, 6-1

6. NGO, Alexandra (SUU) def. Yasunaga, Jaylee (UND) 6-3, 6-2

Doubles competition

1. Palumbo, Carmen/Hartnett, Elly (UND) def. NASSIK, Ghita/LOWRANCE, Mikala (SUU) 6-2

2. Kasilingam, Preethi/Sullivan, Isa (UND) def. TOBRAND, Eira/TANTI, Zoe (SUU) 6-4

3. Lobanova, Masha/Finnigan, Zahra (UND) def. MARTIN LOZANO, Laura/COZZI, Daniela (SUU) 6-3

Match Notes:

North Dakota 6-12, 3-7 BSC

Southern Utah University 12-8, 5-4 BSC