DAYTON, Ohio – The University of Dayton women's tennis team mounted an epic comeback on Friday night, capped off by a dramatic Jade Kawamoto win that sent the Flyers to victory over Butler, 4-3 at Five Seasons Sports Park.

After falling behind the Bulldogs 3-0 after the doubles point and five and six singles, Dayton began to climb back into the match. Jackie Kawamoto started things with a 6-1, 6-0 win at No. 4 singles, and Alex Townsend followed with a 6-2, 6-2 victory at No. 2.

Sophomore Marlys Bridgham battled back in her match at No. 1 to pull out a 2-6, 6-3, 6-4 win, setting the table of Kawamoto's big moment. The sophomore, fighting through an ankle injury, battled her way to a 6-3, 4-6, 7-6 victory at No. 3, and gave Dayton their 12th win of the season.

QUOTABLES
Jade Kawamoto
"I knew it was going to be a tough match and when it came down to me at three-all, I just knew I had to pull it off. Coach was telling me to play with heart, so I played physical and did my best and felt like I left it all out there."

Head Coach Ryan Meyer
"The ladies showed a lot of heart out here today. We came close in the doubles point, but just didn't have things go the way we wanted it to. To come out and have to win four out of six singles is hard against any team, let alone a Big East team."

"Marlys got down a set and a break in the second and then came back to win 12 of the last 16 games. Jade, to be down a break four times in the third set, was just amazing. She's a little banged up right now, she could have easily gave in and called it a day, but she fought for her teammates, and what a huge moment for her personally."

"I couldn't be more proud of the girls and Jade, and I'm really looking forward to keeping this momentum going on Sunday."

UP NEXT
The Flyers return to action at Five Seasons Sports Park on Sunday, April 3 when they welcome Atlantic 10 foe St. Bonaventure to the Gem City.

RESULTS
Singles
M. Bridgham (DAY) def. B. Padgett (BU) 2-6, 6-3, 6-4
A. Townsend (DAY) def. K. Eaton (BU) 6-2, 6-2
Jade Kawamoto (DAY) def. R. Sutton (BU) 6-3, 4-6, 7-6
Jackie Kawamoto (DAY) def. M. McFerran (BU) 6-1, 6-0
J. Koester (BU) def. M. Marchant (DAY) 6-2, 7-6
C. Schmit (BU) def. K. Benjamin (DAY) 6-4, 6-4

Doubles
M. Bridgham/A. Townsend (DAY) def. B. Padgett/J. Koester (BU) 6-2
K. Eaton/R. Sutton (BU) def. M. Marchant/Jade Kawamoto (DAY) 7-6
J. Minnick/M. McFerran (BU) def. Jackie Kawamoto/K. Benjamin (DAY) 6-4