PHOTOS | VIDEO
MOBILE, Ala. -- The Sea Lions' run in the 31st annual NAIA Women's Tennis National Championships came to an end Thursday after they were beaten by third-ranked Auburn-Montgomery 5-2 in a quarterfinal match. No. 6-ranked Point Loma Nazarene finishes the year with a 20-4 overall record.
The eight-time national champion Lady Senators (21-2) advance to Friday's semifinals despite fielding just five players in their first two tournament tilts.
Doubles started the action off Thursday and with just five players, the Senators forfeited two points right off the bat; one doubles point to Wileen Chiu and Kiersten Steinhauer; and one in singles to Chiu.
Therefore, PLNU was up 2-0 before play even began. Early on it seemed that the Sea Lions might grab both doubles matches. Kristin Strimple and Ashley Litchfield jumped out to a quick lead only to be broken twice and caught by Ana Veselinovic and Jade Curtis. One of those games was a 20-minute marathon that had 38 total points, including 18 deuce points. PLNU had its chances in the game, but could not close on numerous advantage points.
The AUM duo closed out the match with an 8-6 win. Jessica Kwan and Rachel Owens also had a lead and also could not hold on, falling 8-6 to Morgane Zowczak and Kvetka Hajkova 8-6.
Now tied 2-2, the match came down to which team could pull out three singles points first.
The Senators grabbed the first point on the top court where Veselinovic defeated Strimple 6-1, 6-1. Maika Adair lost on five to Tsepluhkova 6-0, 6-3 to put Auburn-Montgomery a point away from victory.
The remaining three courts battled it out.
PLNU's Rachel Owen's lost her first set to Hajkova in a tie-breaker on four while No. 3 Jessica Kwan grabbed the opening set in her match, 6-4, with Zowczak and was ahead 5-4 in the second when the Lady Senators won their fifth point on two. That's where Jane Curtis defeated Sea Lion Ashley Litchfield 7-5, 6-1.
Play was halted – as it is after the first round of action at nationals – once UAM posted the fifth point needed for the team victory.
The match was the last collegiate contest for three PLNU seniors: Strimple, Litchfield and Owens. All three have been tremendous contributors to the Sea Lions tennis program and university community. Best of luck to all!
2011 NAIA Women's Tennis National Championship
Point Loma Nazarene University vs Auburn Univ. Montgomery (Ala.) (May 19, 2011)
Auburn Univ. Montgomery (Ala.) 5, Point Loma Nazarene University 2
May 19, 2011 at Mobile, Ala. (Mobile Tennis Center)
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Singles competition
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3. Morgane Zowczak (AUM) vs. Jessica Kwan (PLNU) 6-4, 5-4, unfinished |
4. Kvetka Hajkova (AUM) vs. Rachel Owens (PLNU) 7-6 (7-3), 3-0, unfinished |
5. Alina Tsepluhkova (AUM) def. Maika Adair (PLNU) 6-0, 6-3 |
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