CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The West Chester University women's tennis team's historic 2019 campaign came to a close on Monday afternoon, as the No. 6 Golden Rams fell 4-2 to No. 2 Salem University in the opening round of the 2019 Atlantic Regional Championship on the campus of the University of Charleston.
West Chester (11-8), the sixth seed in the Atlantic Region, was making just its third appearance ever in the NCAA Tournament and the second under the direction of head coach
Tina Tharp. The Golden Rams notched another great year in 2019, highlighted by winning their fourth Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) East title in the last five years and earning a spot in PSAC Championship semifinals. The 2018 PSAC East Athlete of the Year,
Rylee Power cemented herself as one of the best female tennis players in program history this season, as she finished her collegiate career with a 21-0 singles record against divisional opponents and a 20-1 doubles mark versus the PSAC East across four years. Power ends her collegiate career with the Purple & Gold with 58 singles wins and 46 doubles victories during her tenure and she has been a vital contributor on two of the three NCAA Tournament teams that West Chester has produced.
The Golden Rams won the doubles point in Monday's contest thanks to a 6-1 victory at second position by
Danisa Erriad (JAKARTA, INDONESIA/ES INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL) and
Leandra Roelker (ALLENTOWN, PA./SALISBURY) prior to claiming third flight due to an incomplete lineup by their opponents. Following a default win by
Shannon Nixon (WYNCOTE, PA./CHELTENHAM) at sixth singles, the Golden Rams took a 2-0 advantage over the Tigers entering the bulk of singles action. Down 2-0, Salem went on to win the next four singles contests to claim the 4-2 victory on Monday. The Golden Rams' two points against the Tigers on Monday represent the only tallies that WCU has scored across their three tournament appearances.
Salem (19-2) advances to take on host Charleston (24-5) in tomorrow's regional semifinal.
