MEADVILLE, Pa. – The Gators blew past their opening round opponent NAIA representative Walsh University, 8-1 on Saturday to advance to the championship match of the 7th Annual Nancy J. Heath Gator Invitational. The Gators only dropped one matchup as Walsh’s Allison St. George knocked off Elyse Schmitt (3-6, 6-2, 10-8) in No. 3 singles. The lone blemish in round one set up a meeting with D-II Indiana University of Pennsylvania, who was regionally ranked 8th at the end of year last spring in the Atlantic Region.
The Crimson Hawks held strong in singles competition suffering one defeat as Deb Landau defeated IUP’s Ranvita Mahto (6-4, 6-3). The brightest spot of the tournament came in doubles action as the Gators No.1 doubles duo of Carolyn Shetter and Sara Longo bested the No. 1 pairing of Katie Eaton and Ranvita Mahto (8-6). IUP worked around the two defeats to earn the team victory over the Gators (7-2) and take the tournament championship in the process.
