SWARTHMORE, Pa. - The No. 23 Swarthmore College women's tennis team solidified its position atop the conference with a 4-1 victory over No. 44 Franklin & Marshall in the Centennial Conference Championship on Sunday. The win marks the Garnet's first conference title since 2006 and the fourth under head coach Jeremy Loomis.

With the victory, Swarthmore secured an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament, earning its first appearance since 2007. 

Nathalie Williams was chosen the Centennial Tournament Most Valuable Player after toppling the Diplomats in top singles and doubles. Williams paired with Lola Diaz for a 6-2 win in doubles, and then opened singles action with a decisive 6-0, 6-1 decision. 

Erin Li handled clinching duties, winning a hard-fought battle at No. 2 singles that lasted over two hours. The first-year prevailed in a 7-2 tiebreaker after battling back from a loss in the opening set.

HOW IT HAPPENED
DOUBLES
- Ella Strickler/ Riya Rao earned the first doubles victory with a 6-2 win at the No. 3 position. The duo extended their winning streak to 15 matches and remain unbeaten since February.

- Williams/ Diaz clinched the doubles point with a 6-2 victory at No. 1 doubles, and have now won five of their last six matches. Li/ Kathleen Shiffer were winning 4-3 before their match went unfinished. 

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SINGLES
- Williams secured her second win of the day with a dominant performance at No. 1 singles. The Most Valuable Player rolled through the first set 6-0 and sealed the match with a 6-1 win in the second.

- Franklin & Marshall cut into the lead with a win at No. 3 singles, but Kathleen Shiffer quickly responded. The junior delivered a crucial point at No. 4 singles, taking the first set 6-3 and closing it out 6-1 in the second.

- At No. 2 singles, Li battled through a marathon match. After dropping the opening set 6-3, she stormed back with a 6-0 second set before edging out her opponent in a third-set tiebreak, winning 7-6 (7-2).

- Ella Strickler won her opening set 6-2 at No. 5 singles before the match was left unfinished. Lisa Messier was preparing for play at No. 6 when a team victory was clinched.

UP NEXT
The Garnet (16-4) punched their ticket to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2007. Swarthmore awaits the announcement of its opponent and destination at tomorrow's selection show.