BRUNSWICK, Maine – The Middlebury women's tennis team came from behind in singles play to defeat host Bowdoin 5-4 in the NCAA regional final to punch their ticket to the quarterfinals in Mason, Ohio next week.

The Panthers (11-6) came back from a 4-2 deficit, winning two three set matches, to clinch the win over Bowdoin (14-6). Middlebury and Bowdoin have faced each other in each of the last four NCAA tournaments and five out of the last six years. The teams were 2-2 in their previous four meetings, with Middlebury advancing to play Emory on May 18 after Saturday's victory.

Middlebury held a 2-1 advantage after doubles play after trailing 1-0. Tess Trinka and Kyra Silitch put the Polar Bears on top 1-0 with an 8-5 win at #2. The Panthers evened the match at 1-1 after Alexandra Fields and Lauren Amos earned an 8-5 victory over Emma Chow and Pilar Giffenig in the third slot. Middlebury took its first lead of the day when Lily Bondy and Ria Gerger were 8-6 victors over Joulia Likhanskaia and Tiffany Cheng at #1.

Bowdoin made it a 2-2 match in singles play after Likhanskaia topped Gerger 6-4, 6-2 in the top spot. Bowdoin took its first lead of the day at #5 singles after Samantha Stalder defeated Margot Marchese 6-1, 7-5. The lead increased to 4-2 when Silitch was a 6-2, 6-2 winner over Kaysee Orozco in the fourth spot. Middlebury came within one when Bondy earned a 7-6, 6-2 win over Trinka at #3 singles. At #6, Katie Paradies forced a third set after coming back from a 4-2 deficit in the second. The senior tallied Middlebury's fourth point after a crucial 4-6, 6-4, 6-0 match to pull the Panthers even with Bowdoin at 4-4. The day was decided at #2 after Cheng forced a third set to keep Bowdoin alive. Ultimately, Alexandra Fields would hold on for the 7-6, 4-6, 6-0 victory to clinch the quarterfinal birth for Middlebury.