WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — Ole Miss senior Arianne Hartono made history Monday, becoming the school’s first women’s player to win an NCAA tennis championship by defeating Pepperdine’s Ashley Lahey 6-4, 6-2 in the women’s singles final.

Hartono fell behind 3-1 in the first set, but held serve and got it to 4-2. That’s when the momentum began to shift. Hartono held and then broke Lahey twice to steal the first set 6-4.

Both players held to start the second set, but in the third game Lahey fell on her ankle. After a brief timeout she returned to the court, but Hartono finished off a service hold and then grabbed the first break to go up 3-1.

Hartono gained another break to serve for the match at 5-1, but Lahey came up with some outstanding shots to break for 5-2 and momentarily extend it. Not about to let the trophy slip through her hands, Hartono broke right back for 6-2 to clinch the title.

“Women’s tennis is tricky. All it takes is one moment and the entire match can turn around,” Hartono said. “It was such a quick momentum shift from 4-3 down to 5-4 up and 6-4. That’s all I needed to take over. I knew that she’s a hard hitter and we’re playing indoors, so it’s going to come fast. I just tried to make the rallies as long as possible and whenever I get my shot I’ll take it. I tried to be consistent, patient and work the points.”

Hartono joins 2009 men’s NCAA champion Devin Britton as players from Ole Miss to win a national title in singles.

Hartono, the Southeastern Conference’s Player of the Year, finished the season with a 37-6 record. She won her last 17 matches, and had 23 wins against ranked opponents this season.

“I have no words right now. It’s been such an amazing year, and to end my senior year and my career with this is unreal,” Hartono said. “I am so grateful to everyone who helped me get to this position, all the people who have pushed me, it means so much to me. I wear Ole Miss across my chest proudly, because it’s not just for me, it’s for everyone who loves Ole Miss.”