BETHLEHEM, PA. – The third-seeded Army West Point women’s tennis team finished its historic run in the 2022 Patriot League Championship with a thrilling, 4-1 victory over No. 1 Boston University on Sunday afternoon on the Varsity Tennis Courts.
Paola Bou, who clinched the match with a hard-fought, three-set battle at No. 4 singles, was awarded the John “Pat” Rooney award (Tournament MVP) for her efforts. The league trophy is the first for the Black Knights’ (25-9, 5-2 PL) program since the 2019 season.
Though the Terriers (14-8, 5-0 PL) claimed a 4-2 victory over the Cadets in their regular-season meeting earlier this season, Army rose to the challenge in the championship match and opened up the action by winning the doubles point.
The tandem of Cooper Jackson and Paige Herremans kicked things off with a 6-3 result at the second spot in the lineup and while Boston responded with a win on the top court, Bou and Sam DiMaio awarded the team its early lead with a 6-4 triumph at No. 3 doubles.
Jackson worked quickly in singles play, making it 2-0 Army when she took down her opponent in straight sets at the third flight. Once again, the Terriers responded to the push and took home the sixth court before Justine Dondonay brought the Black Knights one point away from the big payoff with a gritty 7-5, 7-5 win on court five.
Bou, who split her first two frames at No. 4 singles, then stepped up and punched the Cadets’ ticket to the NCAA Tournament by defeating Shelly Yaloz 6-4 in the final set.
Army will learn of its destination in the NCAA Tournament during the Women’s Tennis Selection Show, which will air at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, May 2.