Goffstown, N.H. -- Junior Rebecca Fakas defeated newly-minted Northeast-10 Conference Player of the Year Abla Chadli to lead the Adelphi University women's tennis team to a 5-1 semifinal upset against the Penmen of Southern New Hampshire University in the NE-10 Championship on Saturday night.

The Panthers (10-4) move into the NE-10 final for the third time in four years, looking to defend their crown from a season ago after defeating No. 3 Assumption and No. 2 SNHU en route. The Brown and Gold will contest a rematch of last season's championship against the Stonehill College Skyhawks, who defeated Bentley 5-0 in the other semifinal on Friday.

Fakas and Karen Serina started the match with an 8-2 win over Sofia Morais and Kaitlyn Poje for Adelphi, but SNHU (12-3) drew level thanks to an 8-6 win at No. 3 doubles for Rachel Wagner and Lindsay Baum over Vanja Savic and Maria Bruzon Gutierrez. The 1-1 tie was broken by Elizabeth Kallenberg and Samantha Perri, who edged an identical 8-6 match at No. 2 doubles to put the Panthers back in front. 

Moving into singles, Perri took command of her match early and barely looked back, taking a 6-0, 6-1 win against Poje at No. 4 to give Adelphi another point for 3-1. From there, Serina followed up with a 6-2, 7-5 win over Anna Sala to put the Panthers one match away from another championship appearance, and Fakas handed Chaldi her first loss to a conference opponent this season with a 6-4, 6-4 win for the clincher.

"It was an unbelievable fight and win by our team against SNHU," head coach Joanna Haich said. "SNHU fought every point and we couldn't have asked for better competition in the semis. After a testing season, the women are happy to be back in the finals and the entire coaching staff is proud to be working with these spectacular players. We look forward to the final match against Stonehill againon Sunday."
 

Doubles

1. Rebecca Fakas/Karen Serina (ADE) def. Kaitlyn Poje/Sofia Morais (SNH) 8-2

2. Elizabeth Kallenberg/Samantha Perri (ADE) def. Abla Chadli/Anna Sala (SNH) 8-6

3. Rachel Wagner/Lindsay Baum (SNH) def. Vanja Savic/Maria Bruzon Gutierrez (ADE) 8-6

 

Singles competition

1. Rebecca Fakas (ADE) def. Abla Chadli (SNH) 6-4, 6-4

2. Elizabeth Kallenberg (ADE) vs. Sofia Morais (SNH) 7-5, 2-2 unfinished

3. Karen Serina (ADE) def. Anna Sala (SNH) 6-2, 7-5

4. Samantha Perri (ADE) def. Kaitlyn Poje (SNH) 6-0, 6-1

5. Vanja Savic (ADE) def. Rachel Wagner (SNH) 4-5 unfinished

6. Lindsay Baum (SNH) vs. Maria Bruzon Gutierrez (ADE) did not start

The Panthers will face the top-seeded Skyhawks on the campus of Stonehill College at 1 pm on Sunday, Oct. 23.

NOTES
- The Panthers handed the Skayhawks their only regular season loss by 5-4 decision on Oct. 9.
- The Panthers are looking to win the NE-10 Championship having played all three matches on the road.

---

About Adelphi Athletics:
Adelphi University joined the Northeast-10 Conference in the fall of 2009 and in the past seven seasons, has collected 18 regular season conference titles, 22 tournament championships, 29 individual crowns and captured the Northeast-10 Presidents' Cup three times (2013, 2014, and 2016), while winning five NCAA Division II National Championships.

For the latest on Adelphi University Athletics, follow the Panthers at www.aupanthers.com or via social media on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Snapchat.