By: Mike DeVader, NAIA Communications & Sports Information Intern

MOBILE, Ala. — (Results | Bracket | Video Recap) The 2015 NAIA Women’s Tennis National Championship is down to four teams after Thursday afternoon’s quarterfinal play. The names of four institutions were called to the national semifinals, and Georgia Gwinnett, Xavier (La.), Lindsey Wilson (Ky.) and Auburn Montgomery (Ala.) move just one game away from the national championship final at the Mobile Tennis Center in Mobile, Ala.

The Grizzlies came back to Mobile with an undefeated record (5-0) in national championship tilts, and that string continued this afternoon after the top-ranked club took down Northwood (Fla.), 5-1. The Seahawks put up a good fight to begin doubles play, but eventually lost the momentum of a No. 2 doubles victory by the team of Mathilde Thibaudat and Rocia Merlo. Georgia Gwinnett would carry its 2-1 lead into singles competition and never look back. Victories in No. 1, No. 5 and No. 6 singles put the Grizzlies back into the semifinals for the second time in as many years.

The Gold Nuggets can make the same claim as the defending champions now, as Xavier clinched its second-consecutive trip to the national semifinals by steamrolling through SCAD Savannah (Ga.), 5-0. On the doubles side, the No. 3 group of Brion Flowers and Brandi Nelson made the biggest statement by finishing their match by an 8-2 score. The singles side put a bow on the match as Caroline Vernet took out Maria Barragan of the Bees (6-0, 6-1), Brandi Nelson won her bout with Anastasia Castro by the same margin. Xavier will now try to get over the next hump and avoid losing in the semifinals twice in-a-row.

The final two matches were also claimed by wide margins amidst the hot sun of the Mobile sky. The Blue Raiders notched a pair of wins in doubles before taking singles No. 1, No.5 and No. 6. Lindsey Wilson’s Henar Munoz was 2-0 on the day, picking up a doubles victory with teammate Fiona Curty (8-5) and then a straight-set triumph in No. 1 singles (6-3, 6-3 over Hui-I Huang). Huang proved to be a strong point for the Eagles, as she helped her team to an 8-2 advantage in No. 1 doubles as the day got underway. Embry-Riddle’s season comes to a close at 14-6.

The last slot in the semifinals belongs to the Warhawks thanks to a 6-1 total against Cardinal Stritch (Wis.). Auburn Montgomery earned an extra point due to two players simultaneously finishing their matches to clinch. The second-seeded squad joins No. 1 Georgia Gwinnett as the only programs to have both their men’s and women’s teams in their respective semifinals this year. The Wolves could not slow down their opponent as they fell into a quick 3-0 hole to begin the duel. Alexi Loomis and Amanda Trimm gave Auburn Montgomery all it could handle, but eventually fell, 9-7. Kelly Southwood and Anna Rudolfova closed the door on Cardinal Stritch’s season with 6-2, 6-1, and 6-4, 6-1 victories, respectively.

National semifinal action returns tomorrow afternoon at 1 p.m. CDT. Georgia Gwinnett takes on Xavier, while Lindsey Wilson clashes with Auburn Montgomery.