NATIONAL CHAMPIONS ! 8 Is Great For Armstrong Women's Tennis

It wasn't the start, but the finish for Armstrong women's tennis as the Pirates picked up their eighth NCAA Division II National Championship with a 5-2 win over BYU Hawaii. Leading 2-1 after doubles, the Pirates watched the Seasiders take the first set in five of six singles matches.

Undaunted, Armstrong battled back to take five of six second sets  - BYU Hawaii took No. 1 singles, but Barbora Krtickova won her No. 3 doubles match in straight sets.

With the score 3-2, Natasa Vukovic battled from losing her first set 6-0 to claim a three-set win at No. 6 singles. That left Marlen Hacke at No. 4 singles with the huge opportunity to close out the national title - which she did, winning her third set 6-1 and clinching the championship with the point above.

Even though the scoreline and the results were much the same from last year's win over the Seasiders, the two matches could not have been more different. And as coach Simon Earnshaw says in our game recap, it's fitting that if Armstrong was to become the program with the most national titles in women's tennis, then they would have to beat BYU Hawaii in the title match to do it.

The Pirates are national champions and no other women's tennis program in NCAA Division II is more successful than Armstrong Atlantic State University. As satisfying as that is to type, it's more satisfying to all - players, coaches, fans - who have been involved with the Pirate tennis program over the years. Success is built one brick at a time and there are many, many bricks that make up what has become a truly dominant collegiate athletic program.

So, if you are in the neighborhood, drop by the Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport on Sunday around 5:15 p.m. to help welcome back the National Champions to Savannah !