Barry edges Nova Southeastern for seventh NCAA Division II title in women's tennis in eight years
This was so close.
Barry University and Nova Southeastern University — two schools located 17 miles apart — battled to the end on Sunday morning as they competed for the NCAA Division II national championship in women's tennis.
The Barry University Buccaneers prevailed, 4-3, at Sanlando Park in Altamonte Springs.
'We knew it was going to be a tough match,' Barry coach Avi Kigel said. 'Our girls competed like warriors.'
After three doubles matches (worth a total of one point) and five singles matches, the score was tied, 3-3.
And, after two sets of the final match of the year, the score was again tied, 1-1.
However, Barry's Andrea Di Palma pulled away at the end, defeating NSU's Sofia Shing, 6-1, 4-6, 6-1.
Top-ranked Barry finished its season 26-1, winning its ninth national title, including seven in the past eight years, all under Kigel.
Barry broke the record for most national titles in Division II women's tennis. Armstrong State, now defunct, had the previous record of eight.
Second-ranked NSU finished its season 25-4. The Sharks have played Barry for the national title three straight years, losing in 2023 and 2025 but earning the championship in 2024.
Of NSU's four losses this season, three were to Barry.
Another highlight of Sunday's match: Barry's No. 6 singles player, senior Angela Leweurs, became the first women's tennis player from her school to be a part of four national championships.
NSU won the doubles point. NSU's won at No. 1 doubles as Isabella Ciancaglini and Kristyna Hranacova defeated Ailen Crespo and Di Palma, 6-3. Barry's Viktoria Dema and Mana Tatarnikova beat Shing and Noemie Dadoun, 6-0, in No. 2 doubles. NSU's wrapped up the doubles point as Ita Habekovic and Julia Moraes won, 6-3.
NSU's Hranacova won at No. 1 singles, 6-0, 6-4, over Alina Michalitsch. NSU also won at No. 2 singles as Habekovic defeated Dema, 7-5, 6-3.
However, Barry won at No. 4, No. 5 and No. 6 singles, tying the match, 3-3. Barry's singles winners were Louane Lutringer (6-0, 6-1 over Ciancaglini); Dinara Alloiarova (7-5, 6-4 over Dadoun); and Angela Leweurs (6-4, 6-4 over Moraes).
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