SIOUX FALLS, SD - With the overall match on the line tied 3-3, Emily Needham won the clincher to give the University of Mary Tennis team a 4-3 victory over Winona State in the NSIC Tennis quarterfinals. Needham's victory came in a super tiebreaker set, and she overcame a 0-3 deficit to keep the Marauders season alive. 

Head Coach Vida Saliendra credited Needham's composure in her performance. "I am proud of Emily as she knew the match was in her hands after seeing she was the only one left playing. It is a tough position to be in knowing the match is in your hands." Excluding a forfeit victory on April 16, Needham has now won four matches in a row. 

The Marauders will take on Minnesota State University in the NSIC semifinals Saturday at 2 pm. The Mavericks defeated Southwest Minnesota State University 4-0 in the day's first match. 

The Marauders earned a match point with solid performances in each of the doubles matches. Chloe Chong and Ilona Freitag blazed to an early 6-2 win in #1 doubles. Emily Needham and Samantha Purpura played well together but fell 4-6 in #3 doubles. Doaa Farouk Mohamed and Hala Hossam Awad finished with a 6-4 win in #2 doubles to give UMary the doubles advantage. 

Hala Hossam Awad finished first with a dominating 6-1, 6-1 victory over Sara Anderson in #3 singles. 

Chloe Chong fell to a tough Beth Murman 4-6, 2-6 in #1 singles. 

Ilona Freitag picked up an impressive 6-3, 6-2 win over Miranda Daulong in #4 singles. 

Samantha Purpura fell 1-6, 4-6 against Ally Burger in #6 singles but battled back hard late in the second set. 

Doaa Farouk Mohamed went the distance with Rachel Kelley in #2 singles but fell just short in the super tiebreaker for a score of 2-6, 6-3, 3-6. 

With the match on the line, Emily Needham outlasted Clara Thoemke in the super tiebreaker 6-4, 2-6, 6-4 to give the Marauders the victory and advance to the semifinals on Saturday. 

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