Hanover Park, Ill. - The Thunder women's tennis team fell just short of earning its eighth consecutive championship at the CCIW AQ Tournament on Saturday afternoon. Instead Augustana earned its first ever title with a tight 5-4 victory to clinch a spot in the upcoming NCAA Division III Women's Tennis Regional. With the loss, Wheaton falls to 15-7 overall. Augustana improves to 23-8.

The Thunder and Vikings split the six singles matches with Augustana taking two of the three doubles matches. Julie Buursma was a 7-5, 6-3 winner at No. 1 singles. Katie Park earned a 6-1, 7-5 victory at No. 2 singles and Erika Nelson was a 6-4, 7-5 victor at No. 6 singles. Miranda Kay and Erika Nelson teamed to win an 8-3 match at No. 3 doubles.

AUGUSTANA 5, WHEATON 4
Singles Competition
Julie Buursma (WHEATON) def. Lauren Goggin (AUGIE) 7-5, 6-3
Katie Park (WHEATON) def. Dana Goggin (AUGIE) 6-1, 7-5
Mollie Magee (AUGIE) def. Lauren Schalbach (WHEATON) 5-7, 6-2, 6-4
Aileen MacDonald (AUGIE) def. Kirstie White (WHEATON) 6-0, 6-0
Miranda Pence (AUGIE) def. Miranda Kay (WHEATON) 6-1, 6-2
Erika Nelson (WHEATON) def. Vicki Andonova (AUGIE) 6-4, 7-5

Doubles Competition
Dana Goggin/Aileen MacDonald (AUGIE) def. Julie Buursma/Katie Park (WHEATON) 8-6
Lauren Goggin/Mollie Magee (AUGIE) def. Lauren Schalbach/Kristie White (WHEATON) 8-0
Miranda Kay/Erika Nelson (WHEATON) def. Miranda Pence/Vicki Andonova (AUGIE) 8-3