Third-ranked PLNU pulled out ahead of sixth-ranked Azuza Pacific in a conference match on APU courts on Saturday. The match ended 5-4 in favor of the Sea Lions.
"We were glad to get out of Azuza with a win." said Coach Rich Hills. "Azuza has always been a tough team and I know I was nervous."
The match began with singles, both teams claiming three points. Kristin Strimple, Ashley Litchfield and Jessica Kwan notching wins for PLNU on one, two and four, respectively. It would come down to doubles.
Though all wins are important in a 5-4 match, the lowest rungs of the ladder made a big statement by coming back in doubles after losing in singles. The pairings of Litchfield and Rachel Owens on two and Kiersten Seinhauer and Wileen Chui on three both won in doubles to secure the team win. This coming after all but Litchfield lost in singles.
"It took focus for that comeback and we needed it." Hills remarked.
Point Loma moves to a 12-1 season with a 9-1 conference record. Azuza's ladies slip to a 9-4 with a 6-4 GSAC record.
The Sea Lions are scheduled to host Biola for a GSAC match on Tuesday with competition beginning at 2:00pm.
-Maggie Hills
#3 Point Loma Nazarene University 5, #6 Azusa Pacific 4
03/27/10 at Azusa, Calif. (Munson & Bavougian Tennis Complex)
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Singles competition
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1. STRIMPLE, Kristin (PLNU) def. BON, Sheryl (APU) 7-5, 6-4
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2. LITCHFIELD, Ashley (PLNU) def. HOFFEE, Leah (APU) 6-4, 6-4
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3. McNALL, Natalie (APU) def. OWENS, Rachel (PLNU) 1-6, 6-1, 6-3
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4. KWAN, Jessica (PLNU) def. IGNAS, Emily (APU) 6-3, 7-5
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5. WETZIG, Casey (APU) def. STEINHAUER, Kiersten (PLNU) 6-3, 6-3
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6. LAU, Jessalyn (APU) def. CHIU, Wileen (PLNU) 6-4, 3-6, 7-5
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Doubles competition
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1. ADHIKARY, Sarita/BON, Sheryl (APU) def. KWAN, Jessica/STRIMPLE, Kristin (PLNU) 8-4
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2. LITCHFIELD, Ashley/OWENS, Rachel (PLNU) def. HOFFEE, Leah/WETZIG, Casey (APU) 8-5
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3. CHIU, Wileen/STEINHAUER, Kiersten (PLNU) def. IGNAS, Emily/McNALL, Natalie (APU) 8-0
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Match Notes
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Point Loma Nazarene University 12-1, 9-1 GSAC; National ranking #3
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Azusa Pacific 9-4, 6-4 GSAC; National ranking #6
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Order of finish: Doubles (3,2,1); Singles (5,4,3,1,2,6)
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Singles contested first, followed by doubles
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T-4:01 A-45
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