STAC Women's Tennis' Spectacular Season Closes At NCAA Division II Sweet 16

Posted: May 21, 2025

Altamonte Springs, Fla. - The St. Thomas Aquinas College Women's Tennis team's phenomenal 2024-2025 Season, came to a conclusion on Wednesday morning, as the #16-seeded Spartans fell to top-seeded Barry University, 4-0, in the NCAA Division II Sweet 16 round at Sanlando Park.

STAC ends its season with an 15-6 overall record and a 4-1 mark in the East Coast Conference. Meanwhile, Barry University improves to 23-1 and moves on to the Elite Eight round of the tournament.

The Spartans outstanding season included an ECC Regular Season title, their fourth ECC Championship Final appearance in the last five years, along with NCAA East Regional victories over Adelphi and New Haven, and subsequent third straight NCAA Round of 16 National Championship appearance.

BARRY UNIVERSITY 4/ST. THOMAS AQUINAS 0 - OFFICIAL RESULTS

DOUBLES

1. Ailen Crespo & Andrea Di Palma (BU) def. Courtney Fyvie & Elita Silins (STAC), 6-1

2. Viktoriia Dema & Maria Tatarnikova (BU) def. Kateryna Kryuchkova & Sun Zhuoxuan (STAC), 6-2

3. Mar Caneves Bufi & Elise Semmartin (STAC) vs. Louane Lutringer & Dinara Alloiarova (BU), 4-3 (UNFINISHED)

Order of Finish: 1, 2*

SINGLES

1. Alina Michalitsch (BU) def. Courtney Fyvie (STAC) 6-1, 6-0

2. Viktoriia Dema (BU) def. Elita Silins (STAC) 6-3, 6-1

3. Louane Lutringer (BU) vs. Kateryna Kryuchkova (STAC) 6-1, 3-1 (UNFINISHED)

4. Dinara Alloiarova (BU) vs. Elise Semmartin (STAC) 6-3, 2-5 (UNFINISHED)

5. Angela Leweurs (BU) vs. Mar Caneves Bufi (STAC) 6-2, 2-2 (UNFINISHED)

6. Ailen Crespo (BU) def. Sun Zhuoxuan 6-0, 6-0

Order of Finish: 6, 1, 2*

#1 Barry Record: 23-1, 9-0 SSC (#1 ITA)

#16 STAC Record: 15-6, 4-1 ECC (#35 ITA)

THE ROCKHILL REPORT

"This was a special year for a special group of ladies," stated Head Coach Dan Rockhill. "I am proud of how we competed today. We played like we normally do and we made Barry earn their points. We probably play a little differently than what Barry has seen all year and that may have helped us to get our games on the scoreboard. They have impressive players in their mid to late twenties with tens of thousands of dollars of professional prize money. Their athletic department has a strong commitment to winning championships and it was exciting to share the court with them for the past two years in the round of sixteen."

"Elise ended her career competing like she always has," said Rochkhill. "She was up in her doubles and making a strong push for her second set in the singles. Mar also was impressive and has improved so much this season. Elita also showed her toughness battling illness in the extreme heat. There was just no keeping her out of the lineup today. She is the best of STAC tennis."

"We are going to miss Elise, Courtney and Elita more than words can tell," commented Rockhill. "Coaching all three has made me happy. They will certainly go on to do great things."

"Kat, Mar and Sun are poised to lead next year," remarked Rockhill. "STAC is extremely fortunate to have them returning."

"It has been a great year and I have been so richly blessed as a coach," said Rockhill.