In a closely fought showdown that lasted more than 4½ hours, DePaul came up just short in a 4-3 setback that was decided on the third set of the final match of the day.
The Blue Demons (8-4) had won the last two encounters between these BIG EAST tennis powers on the last match.
On March 1, 2020, Alina Kuzmenkova had prevailed in the final match for a 4-3 DePaul victory at Lakeshore Sport & Fitness.
In the 2019 BIG EAST title match, Kuzmenkova came from behind in the third set to bring her team a thrilling 4-3 win over Xavier and secured the automatic bid to the NCAA tournament.
As fate would have it, the score on Friday was deadlocked at 3-3 and once again, it came down to Kuzmenkova. Only this time, the No. 2 singles standout from Stavropol, Russia fell in a heartbreaker 3-6, 7-6(10-8), 6-3 to Anna Roggenburk.
Xavier (12-3) seized an early 1-0 lead after taking two of three in the doubles competition. Lenka Antonijevic and Kuzmenkova defeated Ahmeir Kyle and Emily Thomas 6-4 at No. 1 doubles.
The Blue Demons came storming back to win the first three singles matches. Valentina Martin began the rally with a 6-1, 6-3 decision over Lucy Octave at No. 6.
Right on Martin's heels, teammate and No. 1 standout Aspasia Avgeri delivered with a 6-4, 7-6(7-5) win over Kyle. That was Avgeri's eighth win in a row.
Marija Jovicic put her team on the cusp of victory after beating Kaitlin Ruether 6-2, 6-4 at No. 4 singles. With a 3-1 lead in the match, it was looking promising for coach Marisa Arce and her team.
But the Musketeers responded with a rally of their own in winning the final three singles matches.
Arce and her players will remain in Ohio with a 9 a.m. match Sunday at Dayton.
Xavier 4, DePaul 3
April 9, 2021
Cincinnati, Ohio
Singles
1. Aspasia Avgeri (DPU) def. Kyle, Ahmeir (XU) 6-4, 7-6(7-5)
2. Roggenburk, Anna (XU) def. Alina Kuzmenkova (DPU) 3-6, 7-6(10-8), 6-3
3. Graham, Imani (XU) def. Lenka Antonijevic (DPU) 7-5, 6-3
4. Marija Jovicic (DPU) def. Ruether, Kaitlin (XU) 6-2, 6-4
5. Thomas, Emily (XU) def. Maddie Yergler (DPU) 6-7(3-6), 6-2, 6-4
6. Valentina Martin (DPU) def. Octave, Lucy (XU) 6-1, 6-3
Doubles
1. Lenka Antonijevic/Alina Kuzmenkova (DPU) def. Kyle, Ahmeir/Thomas, Emily (XU) 6-4
2. Roggenburk, Anna/Graham, Imani (XU) def. Marija Jovicic/Kaya Rand (DPU) 6-1
3. Ruether, Kaitlin/Octave, Lucy (XU) def. Aspasia Avgeri/Maddie Yergler (DPU) 6-4
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April 10, 2021 at 06:25AM
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Down to the Last Set, Blue Demons Fall 4-3 at Xavier - DePaul Blue Demons
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