LAKELAND, Fla. – University of Montevallo senior Emily Beatty claimed the championship in the back draw bracket of the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) NCAA Division II South Regional tournament Sept. 21-24.

Beatty, one of four women's tennis student-athletes competing in the event, reeled off five consecutive victories in singles' action after dropping her opening match in the championship bracket.

Beatty topped Presley Thomas of UAH 6-2, 6-2 in the back draw finals to top the field of 32 individuals competing in the bracket.

Beatty also defeated Gulf South Conference opponents Tonja Fossmeier of Auburn-Montgomery 6-2, 6-1 in the second round and Haina Franco of West Alabama in the back draw semifinals to reach the finals.

Freshman Anne-Christine Leu recorded the Falcons' only other win in singles' action after defeating Heather Mixon of West Florida 6-4, 6-2 in the first round in the back draw bracket.

COMPLETE SINGLES' RESULTS

Maria Chun (Florida Tech) def. Emily Beatty (Montevallo)
Emily Beatty (Montevallo) def. Yuliia Russu (Palm Beach Atlantic) 6-3, 6-2
Emily Beatty (Montevallo) def. Tonja Fossmeier (Auburn-Montgomery) 6-2, 6-1
Emily Beatty (Montevallo) def. Madeleine Gauthier (Saint Leo) 4-6, 6-2, 10-7
Emily Beatty (Montevallo) def. Haina Franco (West Alabama)
Emily Beatty (Montevallo) def. Presley Thomas (UAH) 6-2, 6-2

Eleonora Liga (Lynn) def. Anne-Christine Leu (Montevallo) 6-3, 6-0
Anne-Christine Leu (Montevallo) def. Heather Mixon (West Florida) 6-4, 6-2
Diane Follin-Arbelet (Nova Southeastern) def. Anne-Christine Leu (Montevallo) 6-3, 6-4

Lorena Rionda (Florida Southern) def. Dorotea Hanzek (Montevallo) 6-1, 6-4
Aleksandra Durzynski (Rollins) def. Dorotea Hanzek (Montevallo)

Diana Vlad (West Florida) def. Maria Garcia (Montevallo) 5-7, 6-2, 10-3
Haina Franco (West Alabama) def. Maria Garcia (Montevallo)

COMPLETE DOUBLES' RESULTS

Daniela Obanda/Ana Navas (Nova Southeastern) def. Maria Garcia/Anne-Christine Leu (Montevallo) 8-1
Roberta Krvajica/Georgina Wood (Embry Riddle) def. Maria Garcia/Anne-Christine Leu (Montevallo) 8-6