Women's Tennis Release courtsey of the N.C. Wesleyan Athletic Communications Department

N.C. Wesleyan Women’s Tennis Opens NCAA Tournament Against Asbury

Lexington, VA - The North Carolina Wesleyan women's tennis team is NCAA Tournament-bound once again after claiming its third straight USA South Athletic Conference Tournament title. The Battling Bishops will travel to Lexington, Virginia for the opening rounds of the 2025 NCAA Division III Women's Tennis Championship, hosted by Washington and Lee University.

The 49-team national field was unveiled Monday afternoon during the official selection show on NCAA.com. North Carolina Wesleyan (9-6) will face Asbury University (13-4) in a first-round matchup on Friday, May 9. The winner will advance to play second-ranked Emory (15-5) in Saturday's second round. The pod also includes Swarthmore, Penn State-Harrisburg, and regional host Washington and Lee (17-5), with the regional champion advancing to the NCAA quarterfinals in Claremont, California.

The Battling Bishops punched its postseason ticket with a dominant 4-0 win over Southern Virginia in Saturday's USA South Tournament final at the Slick Family Foundation Tennis Center. The win marked the program's seventh overall USA South championship and secured the league's automatic bid to the national tournament.

"This group has shown so much heart and determination all season," said head coach Albie Brice. "To come out and perform the way they did today on this stage says a lot about their preparation and competitive spirit. I'm incredibly proud of this team and excited to see what we can do at the next level."

Wesleyan set the tone early in doubles play, earning swift 6-0 victories at the No. 2 and No. 3 spots. Ivanna Torres and Andrea Elaez Miranda cruised at No. 2, while Linda Nhiwatiwa and Melanie Guzman Gonzalez matched their result at No. 3. The No. 1 team of Bethan Fothergill and Renata Torres held a 3-2 lead before the match was left unfinished.

In singles play, the Bishops continued their momentum. Guzman Gonzalez delivered a flawless 6-0, 6-0 win at No. 6, followed by Ajla Selimovic's 6-1, 6-1 triumph at No. 5. Fothergill sealed the match with a 6-3, 6-3 win at No. 2.

Elaez Miranda was named Tournament Most Valuable Player, while Fothergill, Selimovic, and Guzman Gonzalez earned All-Tournament Team honors.

As team play begins this weekend, individual championship selections for singles and doubles will be announced Wednesday, May 7, on NCAA.com. The individual competition begins May 23 in Claremont, with national champions crowned May 26.