ROCK HILL, S.C. – Merriam Webster's Dictionary has a picture of Marija Venta next to the word 'clutch.'

Venta, who came into the season as one of the more veteran players on the roster, chose the perfect time to join the double-digit win club.

With their season on the line and facing a 3-0 hole, Longwood women's tennis flipped the script stunning No. 8 seed Gardner-Webb 4-3 in first round action of the Big South tournament Wednesday capped off by a three-set comeback from Venta at the third flight.

"The whole season we talked about these moments, the moment when your character, your discipline and your courage get tested at the most important time of the year," said first-year head coach Maria Lopez. "We talked about how important it is to earn each point on important points, and to control our emotions when those opportunities arise."

After the men's team erased a 3-1 deficit earlier in the week, the women's squad one-upped the effort and turned a 3-0 deficit into their third Big South tournament win in program history and made it back-to-back seasons with a postseason victory.

Venta improved her record to 2-1 at the third flight as her comeback, match-sealing win avenged a two-set loss to her counterpart Miljana Ristic just four days earlier to close the regular season.

"It's the little things that coach has been teaching us all season – the strong team love we have been creating and the legacy of the team that was here last year – that allowed us to pull through today," said Venta on the team's comeback for the ages.

Lopez added, "We struggled this season to all be on the same page, but today I saw a group of ladies who trusted the process and at the moment when they all needed to come together and fight and earn the win, they did.

Gardner-Webb took the early doubles point with a 6-3 decision at flight one and 6-2 margin at the third flight, then followed with two-set wins at courts four and six.

That's when the magic began.

Down 3-0 and just one loss from seeing their season end, Longwood (9-10) turned the match on its ear with a swift and strong 4-0 spurt.

Freshman Tanja Skalda began the Lancer run with a dominant 6-2, 6-2 win at the fifth flight, setting  the table for comeback wins from Jamie Breunig and Marija Venta at flights two and three, as well as a three-set victory from ace Yulia Almiron.

"I think all our hard work paid off today," said sophomore veteran Jamie Breunig. "Everyone played with heart and fought for each other. It was amazing the amount of fight we all put in to be able to come back from down 3-0. We'll enjoy the win today and prepare for tomorrow."

Breunig, who faced a match point on six different occasions (down 3-5, 4-5 and 5-6) in the final set, kept the Lancers alive to tie it at 3-3 allowing classmate Venta to deliver in the clutch.

"Seeing Jamie [Breunig] perform so well under pressure and fight back, as well as having the girls on my court, I knew I had to give it my all," Venta said.
Venta's heroic effort at flight three gives the Lancers three lineup regulars with 10-plus wins joining 11-match winners Breunig and Skalda.

The win gives second-year head coach Maria Lopez a 2-1 record in the Big South tournament, making her the winningest coach in postseason play during the Big South era.

"I'm so proud of the girls and how they showcased the fighting spirit to represent Longwood and everyone who has supported us," Lopez said. "This is the culture I engrave each day on and off the court – to earn and fight for what you want through hard work and discipline."

Ninth-seeded Longwood moves on to play top seed and host Winthrop Thursday in quarterfinals action for a second-straight season. Match time between the Lancers and Eagles is set for 9 a.m.

Big South Conference Tournament – First Round
#9 Longwood 4, #8 Gardner-Webb 3
April 18, 2018 | Rock Hill, S.C.

Singles:
1. Almiron (LWU) def. Bolstad (GWU) 7-5, 4-6, 6-4
2. Breunig (LWU) def. Rieckmann (GWU) 4-6, 6-2, 7-6
3. Venta (LWU) def. Ristic (GWU) 6-7, 6-3, 6-4
4. Naupari (GWU) def. Terunuma (LWU) 6-1, 6-1
5. Skalda (LWU) def. Limauge (GWU) 6-2, 6-2
6. Romero (GWU) def. Candiotto (LWU) 6-1, 6-2

Doubles:
1. Bolstad/Ristic (GWU) def.Venta/Terunuma (LWU) 6-3
2. Rieckmann/Limauge (GWU) vs. Almiron/Breunig (LWU) 5-4, unfinished
3. Naupari/Romero (GWU) def. Skalda/Candiotto (LWU) 6-2

Order of Finish:
Doubles (3, 1); Singles (4, 6, 5, 1, 2, 3)

#GoWood