ASHLAND, Ohio — In a clash of regionally ranked squads, the Bellarmine University women's tennis team remained undefeated and bolstered its DII NCAA Tournament credentials with a critical 6-3 victory over West Virginia State on Sunday.

Competing at neutral-site Ashland, Bellarmine improved to 7-0 while West Virginia State dropped to 11-2. The Knights are ranked ninth in the Midwest Region, and the Yellow Jackets are ranked third in the Atlantic Region.

"It was another great team win," said Knights Coach John Mican, who noted WVSU has already secured the Mountain East Conference automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament and will be making its 11th straight appearance.

Bellarmine established a commanding lead over West Virginia State by sweeping the three doubles matches. Seniors Mairin Cotter and Bess Fley only dropped one game in quickly securing a 1-0 advantage for the Knights at No. 3. Sophomore Jennifer Skonieczny and freshman Ava Ratcliff made it 2-0 by battling for an 8-5 win at No. 2.

Junior Maggie Walroth and sophomore Ashley Jonathan clinched the doubles sweep by winning a 9-8 (7-5) thriller at No. 1. With their eighth victory of the season, Walroth and Jonathan became the program's all-time winningest doubles combination with 28 career victories together.

"Mairin and Bess played a virtual error-free match," Mican said. "Jennifer and Ava had a tough fight but finally prevailed. They are really starting to find confidence and cohesiveness as a team. Honestly, Maggie and Ashley were struggling in this match, but the way they battled to find a way to win showed tremendous heart and tenacity."

West Virginia State responded in singles play despite facing the large deficit. The Yellow Jackets cut the gap to one following wins at No. 2 and then No. 1 singles. Senior Marissa Kovach and Ratcliff, at Nos. 4 and 5, delivered the pushback Bellarmine needed to sew up the team win, as both took their respective first sets in convincing fashion before tight 7-5 triumphs in the second frames.

Cotter, fresh off becoming the program's all-time leader in singles wins, added yet another victory to her total with a straight sets romp at No. 6 to put the finishing touch on a pivotal outcome for the Knights.

"West Virginia State wouldn't go away," Mican said. "You've got to tip your cap to the Yellow Jackets for not giving up after doubles and fighting so hard in singles."

Bellarmine will approach Saturday's match with Georgetown College at the Eddie Weber Tennis Complex with a flexible schedule. If the conditions are suitable for outside play, the match will begin at 1 p.m. (ET). If the teams opt for inside play, the match will start at 10 a.m.

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