MOBILE, Ala. -- Lindsey Wilson College senior Candela Castanon captured the NAIA women’s singles portion of the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) National Small College Championships at the Copeland-Cox Tennis Center.

Castanon defeated Auburn University Montgomery’s Nathalie Sienkob 6-1, 6-4 to win her and the program’s first ITA National Championship.

The Buenos Aires, Argentina, native, won the championship in her fourth trip to the ITA’s. Castanon said winning the title is one of the highlights of her stellar career.

“It’s amazing to win this tournament,” Castanon said. “I played very well today; it seemed as if all my shots were falling in.”

With the win, Castanon advanced to the ITA “Super Bowl” which features the winners of the four divisions; NAIA, NCAA Division II and III and Junior College.

Castanon fell in the Super Bowl semifinals to the junior college champion, Monica Lalewicz of Abraham Baldwin (Ga.) College 7-6 (1), 6-4. Lalewicz advances to Sunday’s finals against D II finalist Johanna Dahlback of Armstrong Atlantic (Ga.) University.

Castanon adds the NAIA ITA singles title to her runner-up finish in the doubles tournament with sophomore teammate Jessica Weyreuter.

On the men’s side, Lindsey Wilson sophomore Freddy Luciani captured third place with a 6-0, 6-1 win over Azusa Pacific (Calif.) University’s Mattijas Bolsius.

The four Lindsey Wilson tennis student-athletes captured the ITA Southeast titles on September 22 in Lebanon, Tenn., to advance to the national tournament.