SURPRISE, Ariz. -- The top-seeded Barry Buccaneers faced an unfamiliar task on Wednesday in the quarterfinals of the NCAA Division II Women's Tennis National Tournament. The Bucs trailed 2-1 after doubles to the Academy of Art Urban Knights. But the Bucs won four of the six singles matches to advance to the semifinals 5-2.

"We had a really tough match against Academy of Art. But we're just so glad we were able to win this match," Bucs head coach Avi Kigel said. "We knew it was going to be a tough one. But we battled and were able to find a way to win in singles. So we're very happy and now we just look forward to the semifinal. We are just grateful we are here and have a chance to play another day. Hopefully we can come out a little better in doubles and have a great match."

In 25 previous matches this season, the Bucs had swept the doubles 21 times and never lost more than one. 

INSIDE THE MATCHUP

Final: #1 Barry 5, #9 Academy of Art 5
Records: Barry (26-0), Academy of Art (18-6)

DOUBLES:

• The Knights' ninth-ranked team of Alma and Klara Thell-Lenntorp pulled a huge upset, knocking off Barry's top-ranked pair of Sonja Larsen and Verena Schmid 8-3 at No. 1 doubles.
• Maria Andrisani and Taisiia Andrieieva gave the Knights the edge with an 8-5 win over Hannah Seizer and Julie Razafindranaly at No. 2 doubles.
• Zuza Maciejewska and Carolin Schmid salvaged the critical third doubles point for the Bucs by beating Paula Alcantara and Monika Stanikova 8-3 at No. 3.

SINGLES:

• Schmidt got the Bucs going in singles, taking down Alma Thell-Lenntorp 6-3, 6-2 at No. 5 to even the match at 2-2.
• Larsen quickly gave the Bucs the lead with a 6-2, 6-0 win over 11th-ranked Stanikova at No. 1.
• Schmid followed with a 6-2, 6-2 win over 27th-ranked Klara Thell-Lenntorp at No. 2.
• Maciejewska clinched the match 6-2, 6-2 over Andrieieva at No. 4. 

NOTEWORTHY:

• The Bucs advance to the national semifinals against third-seeded Columbus State. The Bucs defeated the Cougars 5-1 in Valdosta, Ga., on Mar. 3.
• Columbus State defeated Northeastern State in the quarterfinals.
• Maciejewska and Schmid improved to 22-0 as a doubles team.
• Larsen is just the third player in school history to win 20+ singles matches in back-to-back seasons.
• The Bucs have clinched both matches at No. 4 singles in the national tournament.

WHAT THEY'RE SAYING:

We started down 1-2 after doubles, so we knew we'd have to win four singles. Which is tough because Academy of Art is a really good team. But we played them during the season and we won all the singles from them, so we knew that we could do it."
            -- Barry junior Zuza Maciejewska

ON THE HORIZON:

Barry will play third-seeded Columbus State in the NCAA Semifinals at 4:00 pm Eastern on Thursday, May. 10.

BOX SCORE