The NAIA No. 3-ranked Sea Lions edged NCAA DII No. 15 UC San Diego in a non-conference tilt at the PLNU Tennis Courts on Thursday, 5-4. The Green and Gold improved to 16-3 overall with the win while the crosstown Tritons fell to 12-5.
PLNU was hampered by the loss of Ashley Litchfield at two in singles forcing everyone else down the ladder to play up a court and step up to the competition. For the most part, that's what happened.
Doubles began the match with Loma coming out ahead with two of the three points, those coming from Kristin Strimple and Rachel Owens 8-1 on court one, and on two where Jessica Kwan and Kiersten Steinhauer prevailed 8-5. The PLNU ladies clinched the match with Strimple (6-2, 6-3), Owens (6-2, 6-4) and Kwan (7-5, 2-2) victorious at one, two and three singles, respectively.
In an unusual move, though, UCSD's number three, Anita Athavale, pulled out to attend a class in the middle of the second set, handing the match to Jessica Kwan who had won the opening set.
UCSD did not back down and came back to win at four, five and six. The matches at four and six were split and, unluckily, PLNU lost both tie breakers.
"We are definitely proud of our girls," said Coach Rich Hills. "There were a few rough edges to clean up, but they played well, especially missing Ashley."
The Sea Lions' next match is set for Saturday against Masters College on PLNU ocean view courts, commencing at noon.
-Maggie Hills
#3 Point Loma Nazarene 5, #15 UC San Diego 4
04/15/10 at San Diego, CA (PLNU Tennis Courts)
Singles
|
1. STRIMPLE, Kristin (PLNU) def. Taskeen Bains (UCSD) 6-2, 6-3
|
|
2. OWENS, Rachel (PLNU) def. Natalie Varnay (UCSD) 6-2, 6-4
|
|
3. KWAN, Jessica (PLNU) def. Anita Athavale (UCSD) 7-5, 2-2, retired
|
|
4. Samantha Yeung (UCSD) def. STEINHAUER, Kiersten (PLNU) 6-4, 4-6, 10-5
|
|
5. Jacquelyn Davis (UCSD) def. CHIU, Wileen (PLNU) 6-1, 6-2
|
|
6. Melissa Breisacher (UCSD) def. MOHR, Samantha (PLNU) 6-3, 4-6, 10-3
|
Doubles
|
1. STRIMPLE, Kristin/OWENS, Rachel (PLNU) def. Taskeen Bains/Natalie Varnay (UCSD) 8-1
|
|
2. KWAN, Jessica/STEINHAUER, Kiersten (PLNU) def. Anita Athavale/Jacquelyn Davis (UCSD) 8-5
|
|
3. Samantha Yeung/Melissa Breisacher (UCSD) def. MOHR, Samantha/CHIU, Wileen (PLNU) 9-8
|
Match Notes
|
UC San Diego 12-5; National ranking #15
|
|
Point Loma Nazarene 16-3; National ranking #3
|
|
PLNU ranked #3 in the NAIA, UCSD ranked #15 in NCAA DII
|
|
Doubles contested first, then singles
|
