Toronto, ON - For the first time since 2018, the OUA Women's Tennis Championship Banner returns to Western after the Mustangs defeated the Toronto Varsity Blues 4-3 on Sunday afternoon.

After taking 7-0 wins over both Ottawa and Waterloo, the Mustangs earned a spot in the gold medal match against their rivals from Toronto, a year after losing to the Varsity Blues at home.

"It feels amazing! The players really earned this win. Toronto is a great team, and a hard-fought win in a rematch always feels a little bit sweeter." said Mustangs Co-Head Coach Chantal Forristal.

The Varsity Blues got the early advantage taking all three doubles matches to secure a single point for their side to start out the day.

"We'd lost the doubles point last time we played U of T, so we knew we could pull out the win relying on our singles performances." said Mustangs Co-Head Coach Maciek Gebczynski "Despite not winning the doubles point, the girls were playing well, so we told them if they kept that level of play up, they could take the championship."

In the singles round, Mustangs #1 Justine Bryson fought hard losing the first set 7-5 but she followed up with a win in the second set 6-4. The third set would go the distance with Toronto picking up a 7-6 win and taking the point for their side. Western's #6 Paige Baynham has been battling an injury all year and fought hard in her match, winning the second set 6-2 but dropping the first and third sets 6-0 & 6-3. Match #2 saw 1st year Lauryn Son take both sets 7-6 & 6-4 to secure her point, which was followed up with Grace Whitley taking her match 6-1,6-2 & Anna Mockovciak winning 6-4, 6-3. Carley Citron rounded out the Mustangs singles wins with a 7-5, 7-6 win to bring the OUA Banner back to Western.

"My singles match was a BATTLE. I didn't know it was also the determining match." said Citron "I was fighting so hard for every point especially being down 6-5 in the second set- coming back and winning the match is a feeling I will never forget. I'm so grateful to be a part of such an amazing team!"

"We started the season knowing this team had the talent and potential to win, but U of T always has a strong lineup and their players perform their best at the Championships." said Forristal "We knew to win, we'd have to do the same and our girls did just that, showing incredible resilience and strong team spirit. The players supported each other every step of the way, and honestly, that's what means the most to us."

Lauryn Son was named OUA Rookie of the Year & Head Coaches Chantal Forristal & Maciek Gebczynski were named OUA Coaches of the Year. Justine Bryson & Grace Whitley were named OUA All-Stars for their efforts this season and at the championship.

 

2022 OUA Rookie of the Year: Lauryn Son	2022 OUA Women's All Stars:  Justine Bryson & Grace Whitley	2022 OUA Women's Coaches of the Year: Chantal Forristal & Maciek Gebczynski

The Mustangs will join the Men's team at the Canadian University Tennis Championships which is annually held during the National Bank Open in summer 2023.

OUA Women's Tennis Awards
 
Major Awards
Player of the year: Winnie Choi, Toronto
Rookie of the year: Lauryn Son, Western
Coach of the year: Chantal Forristal & Maciek Gebczynski, Western
 
OUA All Stars
Justine Bryson, Western
Grace Whitley, Western
Winnie Choi, Toronto
Pia Jhattu, Toronto