Novakova Captures DII Singles Title, In "Super Bowl" Final

MOBILE, Ala. - Armstrong Atlantic State sophomore Sona Novakova successfully defended her DII singles title on Saturday, while advancing to the "Super Bowl" of Small College Tennis final at the ITA Small College National Championships in Mobile.

Novakova defeated Yuan Jia of BYU-Hawaii, 6-1, 6-4, in the morning to earn her second straight ITA DII singles title, becoming just the second AASU player to earn multiple ITA DII singles titles, joining Zsofia Golopencza (2001, 2003).

She then began play in the "Super Bowl," matching up against NAIA champion Katia Sabate of Fresno Pacific in the afternoon and picking up a 6-1, 6-2 victory. Novakova will now face Jillian O'Neill of Hillsborough Community College, the NJCAA champion, in a 10:00 a.m. final on Sunday.

The "Super Bowl" of Small College Tennis champion earns a wild card into the Nov. 5-8 ITA National Intercollegiate Indoor Championships, hosted by Yale University in New Haven, CT.

On the men's side, junior Rafael Array finished fifth in the DII men's singles bracket after a 6-1, 7-6 (5) win over Ryan Ward of Washburn.