(JOLIET, Ill., April 30)- The McKendree University women's tennis team defeated two teams this weekend to win the NAIA Unaffiliated Group One tournament and advance to the NAIA National Tournament.

The Bearcats defeated Davenport University (Mich.), 5-3, on April 29th, before defeating University of Northwestern Ohio, 5-3, to earn the championship and improve to 10-4 overall this season. The Unaffiliated Tournament field was made up of teams from the American Midwest Conference, the Midwest Collegiate Conference and the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference.

On Friday against Davenport, McKendree picked up wins at No. 1 and No. 2 doubles and also earned three wins in singles action. The twin sister combo of sophomores Adriana Gonzalez and Guiliana Gonzalez (Lima, Peru, San Agustin) defeated fellow twin combo of Denisse and Diana Favela at No. 1 doubles, 8-1, while sophomore Nathalia Oliveira (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Bahiense) and junior Emily Cimarolli (Belleville, Ill., Althoff) defeated Stephanie Fortney and Erin Hossack at No. 2 doubles, 8-4. In singles play, A. Gonzalez defeated Diana Favela, 6-1, 6-1, at No. 1 singles, while G. Gonzalez defeated Denisse Favela at No. 2 singles, 6-1, 6-3. Oliveira earned the Bearcats only other singles win with a, 6-1, 6-0, victory over Fortney.

Saturday played out in similar fashion with McKendree earning wins at No. 1 and No. 2 doubles, and earning three wins in singles play. The Gonzalez's defeated Jamie Hilborn and Andrea Arrongo, 8-2, at No. 1 doubles, while Oliveira and Cimarolli defeated Shaleigh McClintock and Shaye Warman, 8-4, at No. 2 doubles. A. Gonzalez earned a win over Hilborn at No. 1 singles, 6-3, 6-3, and G. Gonzalez defeated Arrango, 6-1, 6-0, at No. 2 singles, before Cimarolli wrapped up the win with a win over Warman, 6-1, 3-6, 6-4.

The Bearcats will be making their fourth appearance at the NAIA Women's Tennis National Championship in program history. McKendree previously competed at the tournament in 2001, 2006, and 2008. The championship is being held May 17-21st at the Mobile Tennis Center in Mobile, Ala.