#2 UDC Women’s Tennis Historic Season Comes to a Close Following HeartBreak Upset by #6 Franklin Pierce in NCAA East Regional Tournament

FLUSHING, N.Y. - The University of the District of Columbia's women's tennis team fell to Franklin Pierce 0-4 in round two of the NCAA East Regional Tournament, Saturday afternoon at the Queens College Tennis Center. The Firebirds finished the season with a 15-3 record, and the Ravens move on to the sweet sixteen with a 15-5 record.

The Ravens claimed the doubles point with wins at No. 1 and 2 and then went on to win at No.4, 3, and 2 singles to secure the Win and their spot in Florida amongst the sweet sixteen. 

The Firebirds won their second regular season and ECC Championship title in the fall season after picking up a historic win over Queens College. They went undefeated with a program-breaking 11-0 record with four players earning All-Conference awards ( Simoné Pärn, Sofia Bellucco, Mariona Franco, and Joanna Skrzypczynska) and Valentina Brienza being named ECC Co-Rookie of the Year. Head Coach Theodore Mahaffey III also received his third Coach of the Year Honor.

The Firebirds took their winning streak into the Spring season extending their win streak to 14, which included a 4-3 win over #5 LeMoyne. Their win streak came to an end after suffering a tough 4-3 loss to #1 Wilmington Delaware in March. 

The Firebirds spent the first half of the Spring Season in the ITA's top 25 National Rankings, debuting at a historic #15 on the week of the 23rd in March. After losses to Wilmington and Goldey-Beacom, they were pushed back to #33. Parn was also ranked #30 in singles in the ITA's national poll- the highest ranking in program history. 

UDC received a historic #2 seeding in the programs second showing in the NCAA East Regional Tournament and conclude their season with a 15-3 record