The sixth-ranked Denison University women's tennis team advanced to the semifinals of the 2011 Midwest Invitational following an 8-1 victory over No. 29 Carleton College on Friday afternoon in Madison, Wis.

Denison took a commanding 3-0 lead after winning all three doubles matches.  Senior Kristin Cobb and junior Sarah Short picked up a 9-7 win over the central region's 10th-ranked team of Erin Gudul and Kathryn Schmidt.  The doubles team of Kelsey Geppner and Alex Marcell also logged a victory over a regionally ranked opponent.  The DU duo knocked off 12th-ranked Bridget Doyle and Anne Lombardi.  The Big Red completed the sweep with an 8-3 win by Jane Lent and Kate Westenberger at the third flight.

In singles action, Short defeated Doyle, ranked 23rd in the region, 8-3, in a pro-set match at the second flight.  Geppner and Marcell logged convincing straight-set wins at third and fourth singles, while Westenberger edged out a 7-5 win in the first game of No. 5 singles before logging a 6-2 win in the second set.  First-year Lilianna Broussalian capped things off with a 7-6 (7-3), 6-2 win at the sixth flight.

DU improves to 10-3 on the year, while Carleton falls to 9-4.  Denison returns to action on Saturday when they take on Gustavus Adolphus in the semifinals of the Midwest Invitational.  Match time is scheduled for 8 a.m. CDT.