Tied at three-points apiece and the match hanging in the balance, the NAIA eighth-ranked Sea Lions needed two singles wins in order to secure the team victory over GSAC rivals No. 11 Azusa Pacific on Saturday. PLNU got one better, thanks to Ashley Litchfield, Kiersten Steinhauer and Jessica Kwan, all whom defeated their Cougar opponents in three sets.
The win lifts the Sea Lions to a perfect 3-0 on the season - both overall and in conference.
"It is a very satisfying win," said PLNU coach Rich Hills. "We lost two 5-4 decisions to them last year. We needed to change that. It's especially great to watch our freshmen contribute to the win as well as our JC transfer [Litchfield]."
PLNU opened play by taking two of three doubles points. Steinhauer and Wileen Chiu defeated Jessalyn Lau and Emily Ignas 8-5 on court three just before Litchfield and Owens posted an 8-4 win on two, topping Casey Wetzig and Leah Hoffee 8-4.
APU gathered in the first singles point to tie the match up at 2-all. All-American Kristin Strimple took down Sheryl Bon 6-4, 6-1 on court one to give the Sea Lions a 3-2 advantage. The Cougars won on court three to even things up once again, however.
Things couldn't get closer as the remaining three matches all went to a third set. Litchfield was the first one done after she dispatched Natalie McNall 6-4, 3-6, 6-1 on court two. Steinhauer then put the match away for PLNU by beating Lau on four, 6-2, 2-6, 6-1. Kwan's 6-2, 2-6, 6-4 win was icing on the Sea Lion cake.
"It has been way too long since we beat Azusa," said Strimple. "It feels great. We have worked really hard to get to where we are and we deserved this rival win. I predict a great season for women's tennis."
The Sea Lions head to Biola on Tuesday for a GSAC match that starts at 3:30 pm.
#8 Point Loma Nazarene University 6, #11 Azusa Pacific 3
02/20/10 at San Diego, Calif.
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Singles competition
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1. STRIMPLE, Kristin (PLNU) def. BON, Sheryl (APU) 6-4, 6-1
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2. LITCHFIELD, Ashley (PLNU) def. McNALL, Natalie (APU) 6-4, 3-6, 6-1
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3. HOFFEE, Leah (APU) def. OWENS, Rachel (PLNU) 3-6, 6-1, 6-2
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4. STEINHAUER, Kiersten (PLNU) def. LAU, Jessalyn (APU) 6-2, 2-6, 6-1
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5. KWAN, Jessica (PLNU) def. WETZIG, Casey (APU) 6-2, 4-6, 6-4
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6. IGNAS, Emily (APU) def. CHIU, Wileen (PLNU) 6-1, 6-3
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Doubles competition
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1. BON, Sheryl/McNALL, Natalie (APU) def. STRIMPLE, Kristin/KWAN, Jessica (PLNU) 8-4
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2. OWENS, Rachel/LITCHFIELD, Ashley (PLNU) def. HOFFEE, Leah/WETZIG, Casey (APU) 8-4
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3. STEINHAUER, Kiersten/CHIU, Wileen (PLNU) def. LAU, Jessalyn/IGNAS, Emily (APU) 8-5
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Match Notes
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Azusa Pacific 2-1, 1-1 GSAC; National ranking #11
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Point Loma Nazarene University 3-0, 3-0 GSAC; National ranking #8
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Order of finish: Doubles (1,3,2); Singles (2,4,3,5,6,1)
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Official: Bob Christianson T-3:00
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