By Beth Renkoski
02/26/09
No. 3 APU Nips No. 10 Lions
Azusa, Calif – Munson & Bavougian Tennis Complex - The No. 10-ranked Vanguard Lions had their hands full this afternoon against the No. 3-ranked Azusa Pacific Cougars. Falling behind 2-1 during doubles play, the Lions eventually lost 5-4 in the Golden State Athletic Conference matchup at APU’s brand new Munson & Bavougian Tennis Complex. The GSAC nail-biter was decided as APU’s Marie Tanaka won the No. 5 singles match 6-4, 6-3, to tilt the 5-4 score in favor of the undefeated Cougars.
Hana Jurcovicova and Kateryna Malakhova earned an 8-1 victory in the top doubles matchup, giving VU a 1-0 edge to start the match. However, the win was VU’s only point in doubles play as APU defeated VU 8-3 and 8-4 in the second and third matches for a 2-1 lead heading into singles action.
Malakhova posted a 6-1, 6-1, victory at No. 3 and Betyel Tesfa gave Vanguard its first lead with a 6-3, 6-0 win at No. 2. Sheryl Bon defeated Jurcovicova (6-3, 6-4) at No. 1, tying the match 3-3, but Anna Valingsten pushed Vanguard back on top by defeating Natlie McNall 6-2, 7-5, at No. 4. APU tied the match again with a victory at No. 6, making the duel between Maria Xavier and Tanaka the deciding match.
The Lions return to the Munson & Bavougian Tennis Complex on Thursday as a scheduling conflict created a location change for VU’s nonconference match against NCAA Division II Hawaii Pacific University. The Lions are now scheduled to play the Sea Warriors at noon in Azusa.
Today’s Match Scores:
No. 10 Vanguard (3-2, 3-2 GSAC) vs. No. 3 APU (5-0)
Doubles
1. Jurcovicova/Malakhova vs. Jelsma/Wetzig VU 8-1
2. Valingsten/Xavier vs. Bon//Tanaka APU 8-3
3. Tesfa/Furuvald vs. McNall/Ignas APU 8-4
Singles
1. Hana Jurcovicova vs. Sheryl Bon APU 6-3, 6-4
2. Betyel Tesfa vs. Casey Wetzig VU 6-3, 6-0
3. Kateryna Malakhova vs. Emily Ignas VU 6-1, 6-1
4. Anna Valingsten vs. Natalie McNall VU 6-2, 7-5
5. Maria F. Xavier vs. Marie Tanaka APU 6-4, 6-3
6. Brittnie Furuvald vs. Leah Hoffe APU 6-0, 6-3
Final score: VU 4 APU 5
VU Season record 3-2 (3-2)