INDIANA, PA- The Chowan University women's tennis team's season came to an end on Saturday afternoon with a 5-0 loss to Indiana University of Pennsylvania in the opening round of the NCAA Division II Atlantic Regional Tournament.  The Hawks' women's tennis program made significant strides this season after finishing with a program-best 23-8 overall record, earning their first CIAA Championship, and making their first NCAA Regional appearance. 
 
The Crimson Hawks grabbed a quick 3-0 lead after sweeping Chowan in doubles play.  Jessica De Backre and Jennifer Humphrey suffered an 8-0 setback in the number three doubles position and finished the year with a 12-6 record as a duo.  Natalia Andrade and Breanne Johnson, 19-6 as a pair, fell to Alanna McFail and Sophie Butland 8-2 in the number two spot.  Natalya Kamenshchikova and Holly Stambaugh battled but fell short in an 8-5 decision to Tanya Timko and Erika Schnaas.  The tandem ended the year with a 25-7 record in the number one position.
 
In singles play, Chowan dropped matches in the fourth and sixth positions, resulting in the 5-0 win for Indiana University of Pennsylvania.  McFail topped Straffai Cleveland 6-1, 6-1 while Ranvita Mahto defeated De Backre 6-1, 6-0 to secure the victory for the Crimson Hawks.  The singles matches in the first, second, third, and fifth positions remained unfinished with the first-to-five format.
 
Stambaugh played in her final match for the Blue and White on Saturday.  She was 20-12 in singles play while earning All-CIAA and CIAA Tournament Most Valuable Player honors this season. 
 
Indiana University of Pennsylvania advances to the NCAA Atlantic Regional Championship on Sunday with the victory.  They will play the winner of Slippery Rock and West Virginia State in hopes of advancing to the NCAA Women's Tennis National Championship Tournament later this month.