SAN DIEGO - The No. 19 Point Loma women's tennis team made a statement in their final match of the regular season, sweeping No. 34 Concordia, 9-0, on Senior Day (Apr. 13). The win moves the Sea Lions to 15-7 on the season and evens the Eagles' record at 10-10.
 
From the very first serve, there was an intensity and determination on the face of every member of PLNU's team to end the season with a sweep at home. Shelby Groeneveld and Taylor McGowan got the Sea Lions on the board first with an 8-2 win at No. 2 doubles. Senior Regina von Koch and junior Nikki Newell followed with an 8-3 victory on court 1. Nicole Camaratta and Ellie Gamble closed out doubles with an 8-4 victory. The duo is now 16-3 on the season.
 
In singles, Camaratta and McGowan made quick work of their opponents as each picked up 6-0, 6-1 wins on courts 5 and 6, respectively. This clinched the win for the Sea Lions, but their mission was not complete yet.
 
Groeneveld added a 6-3, 6-0 victory at No. 3 singles. She is now 17-4 in singles play this season. Michelle Torres won 6-4, 6-3 on court 4. Regina von Koch grinded out a 6-4, 6-3 victory at her No. 2 singles spot to improve to 18-5 on the season. The 18 wins in a season are the most ever for the senior who improved to 53-35 in singles play over her four-year career.
 
With the Sea Lions now leading 8-0, Nikki Newell knew she was the final piece in Point Loma completing its goal. Despite losing the first set, 6-3, and facing someone ranked higher than her in the ITA singles rankings, Newell stepped up to earn the victory and give her teammates their goal of a sweep. Newell, who is ranked No. 45 in the country, battled back in the second set and won in a tiebreaker 7-6. The match then went to a super tiebreaker with the sweep on the line. Again Newelll battled back from an early deficit and made a late run to win 10-8 and give the Sea Lions the match sweep.
 
PLNU will now prepare for the PacWest Championships which will be held Apr. 19-22 in Surprise, Ariz. 

#19 Point Loma 9, #34 Concordia University Irvine 0
Apr 13, 2017 at San Diego, CA (PLNU Tennis Courts) 
Singles competition
1. Nikki Newell (PLNU-WT) def. Anastasiia Kuprina (CUIWT) 3-6, 7-6, 10-8
2. Regina von Koch (PLNU-WT) def. Johanna Keeline (CUIWT) 6-4, 6-3
3. Shelby Groeneveld (PLNU-WT) def. Ghada Al-ajeely (CUIWT) 6-3, 6-0
4. Michelle Torres (PLNU-WT) def. Katherine Jensen (CUIWT) 6-4, 6-3
5. Nicole Camaratta (PLNU-WT) def. Ashley Glick (CUIWT) 6-0, 6-1
6. Taylor McGowan (PLNU-WT) def. Taylor Touchstone (CUIWT) 6-0, 6-1

Doubles competition
1. Nikki Newell/Regina von Koch (PLNU-WT) def. Luma Schwab/Ghada Al-ajeely (CUIWT) 8-3
2. Shelby Groeneveld/Taylor McGowan (PLNU-WT) def. Johanna Keeline/Samantha Schuster (CUIWT) 8-2
3. Nicole Camaratta/Ellie Gamble (PLNU-WT) def. Anastasiia Kuprina/Katherine Jensen (CUIWT) 8-4

Match Notes
Concordia University Irvine 10-10; National ranking #34; Regional ranking #9
Point Loma 15-7; National ranking #19; Regional ranking #6
T-3:55 A-78