North Andover, Mass. - Leading 3-2 in its first-ever Northeast-10 Championship match, the No. 2 seeded Adelphi University women's tennis team dropped three marathon three-setters to fall in a thrilling 5-3 NE-10 final to the top-seeded Merrimack College Warriors on Sunday afternoon. While the Panthers were looking for their first NE-10 Tournament title, the Warriors secured their first Northeast-10 title since 2002 and improves to 15-4 on the season. With the loss, the Brown and Gold drops to 13-6 overall.

The host Warriors struck first as Kara Hole and Chelasey Giatrelis eased to an 8-3 victory over Jennifer Ferguson and Taylor King at No. 2 doubles. However, just as they had during the regular season meeting between the two teams, Adelphi took a 2-1 lead behind wins at No. 1 and No. 3 doubles. Gaby Adia and Joanna Haich tied the match at 1-1 with an 8-3 victory at third flight, while Charlotte Moreau and Katarina Barborikova defeated the Messina sisters at top flight, 8-4, to put Adelphi in front.

Shakee Messina tied things up for the home team as she defeated Haich, 7-5, 6-0, at No. 3 singles for the first completed result in solo play. Shortly after, however, Ferguson put her team back in the lead as the freshman recorded a straight sets win over Alyx Barnes. 

The No. 4 and No. 5 singles matches proved to be the keys in the match, as both Adia and King found themselves in tough three setters against their opponents. However, it was Merrimack who captured both wins to take a 4-3 lead. Muller tied the match at 3-3 as the junior captured a 4-6, 7-5, 7-6 (7-5) win over King despite losing the opening set, while Hole defeated Adia at No. 4, 7-6 (8-6), 3-6, 6-2, to give the Warriors the lead, 4-3.

The top two singles flights took to the court to decide the match, and it was Northeast-10 Player and Rookie of the Year Grace Messina who delivered the winning point for the Warriors. With both No. 1 and No. 2 singles in third sets, it was Messina who defeated Moreau, 6-1, 3-6, 6-1 to clinch Merrimack's first NE-10 title in over a decade. 

Adia and Ferguson were named to the All-Tournament Team for their efforts, along with Hole, Messina and Muller from Merrimack, Diana Vamvakitis from Southern New Hampshire and Kaitlyn Martin from Stonehill. Hole was also named Most Valuable Player for her play in the final match.

Singles
1. Grace Messina (MER) d. Charlotte Moreau (ADE) 6-1, 3-6, 6-1
2. Katarina Barborikova (ADE) vs. Chealsey Giatrelis (MER) unfinished
3. Shakee Messina (MER) d. Joanna Haich (ADE) 7-5, 6-0
4. Kara Hole (MER) d. Gaby Adia (ADE) 7-6 (8-6), 3-6, 6-2
5. Rachel Muller (MER) d. Taylor King (ADE) 4-6, 7-5, 7-6 (7-5)
6. Jennifer Ferguson (ADE) d. Alyx Barnes (MER) 6-1, 7-6

Doubles
1. Moreau/Barborikova (ADE) d. Messina/Messina (MER) 8-4
2. Hole/Giatrelis (MER) d. Ferguson/King (ADE) 8-3
3. Haich/Adia (ADE) d. Muller/Barnes (MER) 8-3

Coach's Thoughts on the Match
"It was an extremely difficult loss for us as the match literally came down to just a few points," Head Coach Michael Misiti stated. "Merrimack were very much deserving of the conference title and they showed a lot of guts to pull through this final. I am immensely proud of my players as they gave everything they had - physically, mentally, and emotionally. This was an amazing group and we were all very much together and focused on our goals this season, which came up a bit short. We all shared the process, improved and worked toward getting to the final, which is something we will all remember."

Up Next
The Panthers will wait to see if they are awarded an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament, as the field will be announced at 8:30 pm on April 29 on ncaa.com. Adelphi checked in at No. 8 in the final edition of the East Regional rankings.