Box Score Elon, N.C. – The Elon University women's tennis team claimed its first-ever CAA Championship with a hard-fought victory over three-time defending champion William & Mary. Competing in only their second appearance in the CAA title match, the Phoenix delivered a resilient and composed performance to secure the historic win. 

The Phoenix opened doubles play facing an early deficit on each court. Despite a 6-1 loss on court three, the Phoenix remained resilient. Simone Bergeron and Mariana Reding responded with a 6-3 victory on court one, keeping the momentum in Elon's favor. To clinch the doubles point, Helen Sarikulaya and Lisa Kranec secured a 6-3 win over William & Mary's Alessandra Anghel and Francesca Davis on court two.

The Phoenix entered singles play with a 1-0 lead, but William & Mary was determined to challenge them. The Tribe started strong, gaining early advantages across several courts during the first sets. Heidi Bulger added Elon's second point with a dominant performance, defeating William & Mary's Sia Chaudry in straight sets, 6-2, 6-0. On Court No. 6, freshman Lisa Kranec faced an early setback, dropping her first set 6-3. However, she rallied to claim the next two sets 6-4 6-3 and secure a third point for the Phoenix. With Elon just one point away from victory, the outcome rested on the matches being played by Madison Cordisco at Court No. 5 and Simone Bergeron at Court No. 1.

With all eyes on Courts No. 5 and No. 1, a tense energy filled the Jimmy Powell Tennis Center. On court No. 1, Simone Bergeron battled through a tightly contested first set, emerging with a 6-4 victory. William & Mary's Hedda Gurholt responded in the second set, taking it 6-4 to even the match. As the championship drew closer, Bergeron seized momentum in the decisive third set, powering through to a 6-4 win. Her triumph clinched Elon's first-ever CAA Championship title, ending William & Mary's reign as three-time defending champions and securing a historic victory for the Phoenix.

Up next: With the victory, Elon earned an automatic qualifying bid to the 2025 NCAA D1 women's tennis championship tournament. The first and second rounds are set for May 2. The selection show will air live on April 28 at 5 p.m. on NCAA.com.

Elon 4, William & Mary 2
Doubles:
No. 1 – Simone Bergeron / Mariana Reding (Elon) def. Hedda Gurholt / Ine Strange (W&M) 6-3
No. 2 – Helen Sarikulaya / Lisa Kranec (Elon) def. Alessandra Anghel / Francesca Davis (W&M) 6-3
No. 3 – Emma Fernald / Mira Kernagis (W&M) def. Miray Konar / Heidi Bulger (Elon) 6-1
Order of finish: 3, 1, 2

Singles:
No. 1 – Simone Bergeron (Elon) def. Hedda Gurholt (W&M) 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 
No. 2 – Alessandra Anghel (W&M) def. Mariana Reding (Elon) 6-3, 6-4
No. 3 – Ine Stange (W&M) def. Helen Sarikulaya (Elon) 6-3, 6-3
No. 4 – Heidi Bulger (Elon) def. Sia Chaudry (W&M) 6-2, 6-0 
No. 5 – Madison Cordisco (Elon) v. Francesca Davis (W&M) 7-5, 4-6, 3-4 unf.
No. 6 – Lisa Kranec (Elon) def. Mira Kernagis (W&M) 3-6, 6-4, 6-3
Order of finish: 2, 4, 3, 6, 1