INDIANAPOLIS – The Hanover women's tennis team defeated Manchester 5-0 Saturday afternoon in the HCAC Tournament Semifinals, as the win advances the Panthers to their fifth straight tournament championship.

The Panthers (8-2) have put an emphasis on doubles play all season long, as they swept through the matches Saturday to garner a 3-0 advantage. Cruising to an 8-0 decision in the No. 3 slot was junior Susie Winternheimer (Indianapolis, Ind.) and sophomore Meghan Farrell (Indianapolis, Ind.).

Adding an 8-1 victory in the second doubles match was sophomore Cami Jones (Richmond, Ind.) and freshman Haley Parker (Leo, Ind.). Senior Alana Feeley (Colchester, Vt.) and sophomore Caroline Millard (Cincinnati, Ohio) survived a 9-7 contest in the top spot, giving HC a victory over the Spartans (5-6) in all three doubles contests.

The Panthers went on to earn a point in the first two singles matches that finished, securing the 5-0 victory. Jones won the first set in the No. 2 match, 6-1, before earning a decision by retirement from her MU competitor.

Winning the other singles match for HC was freshman Addison Laker (Indianapolis, Ind.). Laker blanked her opponent in both sets, winning 6-0, 6-0 in the No. 5 spot.

Hanover will look for its fourth HCAC Tournament championship in five seasons when they square off with the No. 2 seed, Franklin, at 10 a.m., Sunday, Oct. 22. The Panthers defeated the Grizzlies on the road in the regular season, 5-3. The winner of Sunday's match will receive the conference's automatic bid into the NCAA Division III National Tournament in the spring.

Contact: Tyler Jester

jestert@hanover.edu