By: Mike DeVader, NAIA Communications & Sports Information Intern

MOBILE, Ala. — (Results | Bracket | Video Recap) Just after 1:30 p.m. CDT, the 2015 NAIA Women’s Tennis National Championship hit the steamy Mobile Tennis Center courts Tuesday afternoon, as eight teams moved on to tomorrow’s second round in Mobile, Ala. Inclement weather forced two matches to wrap up sooner than expected after a storm interrupted play.

The Seahawks of Northwood (Fla.) appeared to be in top-form as they made quick work of Northwestern (Iowa), 9-0. Not far behind was Arizona Christian and Cardinal Stritch (Wis.), who methodically took care of Mobile (Ala.) and Ashford (Iowa), 8-1, apiece.

Northwood’s defense did not allow Northwestern to score more than one point in any set, including putting up zeroes in four-of-six singles matches.  Host institution Mobile was not able to fair much better, but Lena Schwerdtfeger was able to upend Desiree Jackson (6-3, 0-6, 11-9) in No. 1 singles.

The Firestorm won their first match in the national championship in their team's first showing.

Ashford’s bright spot came in No. 3 doubles, as the duo of Jaylyn Deering and Sara Vach upended Emily Kaftan and Natalie Grieve, 9-7.Oklahoma Baptist and Northwestern Ohio were able to double-up on SCAD Atlanta (Ga.) and Indiana Wesleyan in their matchups, 6-3, over the Bees and Wildcats, respectively.

The closest completed competition came in the Lewis-Clark State (Idaho) and LSU Alexandria (La.) tilt. After a back-and-forth affair, the Warriors were able to slip away, 5-4, to move into Wednesday’s second round. The Generals were making their first appearance in the national championship and put up a fight before bowing out and ending their season. On this day, singles matches were a draw, 3-3, for both institutions. It was two tighly contested doubles matches in slots No. 1 and No. 2 that pushed Lewis-Clark State over the top (9-8 and 8-6).

Both Westmont (Calif.) (6-1 advantage over Evangel (Mo.) and Concordia (Calif.) (ahead 6-2 on McPherson (Kan.) advanced after play was called due to weather.

The higher-seeded teams were 7-1 on the day, with Evangel being the lone loss on the day.

The top eight seeds, which receive first-round byes in the national championship, will compete against Tuesday’s winners in second round play, beginning at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday.