HERSHEY, Pa. - Penn State Harrisburg's women's tennis team clinched a spot in the United East Championship Match by defeating Lancaster Bible 5-1 in the semifinal round of the conference's postseason tournament at the Hershey Racquet Club on Saturday night, April 29. 

In doubles play, Olivia Bandini and Breanna DeSantis bested LBC's Sarah Steckbeck and Jania Weist 8-3 in the top contest, while Gabrielle Sabatose and Sarah Shaub topped Alycia Eglauer and Sierra Hartmann 8-4 in the No. 2 matchup.

Bandini, the 2023 United East Player and Rookie of the Year, kept rolling in singles action, defeating Steckbeck 6-1, 6-2 in the No. 1 solo outing. Sabatose handled Eglauer 6-2, 6-0 in the No. 4 matchup before DeSantis clinched the overall victory for Penn State Harrisburg with a 6-1, 6-4 win in the No. 2 contest. Shaub also held a 6-4, 1-2 lead in the third outing at the time of the deciding victory by DeSantis.

With the victory, the Lions (8-5) advance to the United East Championship match for the third consecutive season. Penn State Harrisburg will face top-seeded St. Mary's (Md.) on Sunday morning, with first serve set for 11 a.m.

Fans can keep up with Penn State Harrisburg Athletics all season long on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and Youtube using the handle @pshbgathletics.