WINSTON SALEM, N.C. — Ole Miss women’s tennis senior Arianne Hartono made history Monday, becoming the first player in program history to win a women’s NCAA championship, defeating Pepperdine’s Ashley Lahey 6-4, 6-2, to take the singles crown.
Hartono joins 2009 men’s tennis NCAA champion Devin Britton as the only players from Ole Miss to win an NCAA singles title.
A slow start for the SEC Player of the Year allowed Lahey to go up a break 3-1 in the first set. Hartono had been in this position several times this past week, including in the semifinals when she saved several match points. Facing more break points, Hartono came up with some big shots to hold, then broke Lahey twice to take the first set 6-4.
Both players held to start the second set, but in the third game, Lahey fell on her ankle. After a brief timeout, she returned to the court, but Hartono finished her off 6-2 to clinch the title.
