By Beth Renkoski 

02/28/09

Sea Warriors Too Strong for Lions

Azusa, Calif – The NAIA third-ranked Vanguard Lions were out-matched today by the NCAA Division II Hawaii Pacific Sea Warriors. Playing the visiting Sea Warriors on neutral courts at Azusa Pacific, the Lions were defeated 6-0 in the nonconference match.

The Sea Warriors earned identical 8-4 victories in the second and third doubles matches, defeating VU’s Anna Valingsten and Betyel Tesfa at No. 2 and Maria Xavier and Brittnie Furuvald at No. 3. Hana Jurcovicova and Kateryna Malakhova were tied 7-7 with their Sea Warrior opponents when a leg injury to Malakhova forced VU’s top doubles team to default the match.

Taking a 3-0 lead in doubles play, the Sea Warriors were well on their way to victory. HPU completed wins of 6-0, 6-0 in the No. 1 and No. 5 singles matches, and received a default at No. 6 to complete a 6-0 victory. The other three singles matches were not finished after the deciding points were recorded.

The Lions are back in action on Tuesday when Vanguard hosts California Baptist in a GSAC tennis double header. The Vanguard women will play after the VU men at the Costa Mesa Tennis Center.

Today’s Match Scores:

No. 3 Vanguard  (3-3, 3-2 GSAC)  vs. HPU (4-0)
Doubles
1. Jurcovicova/Malakhova vs. Cseh/Vlckova HPU 7-7 default
2. Valingsten/Tesfa vs. Stankovic/Ageychik HPU 8-4
3. Xavier/Furuvald vs. Shin/Wikstrom HPU 8-4
Singles
1. Hana Jurcovicova vs. Zora Vlckova HPU 6-0, 6-0
2. Betyel Tesfa vs. Nina Mihova DNF 5-3
3. Anna Valingsten vs. Anastasia Ageychik DNF 3-5
4. Maria F. Xavier vs. Tinka Mihova DNF 6-0, 3-0
5. Brittnie Furuvald vs. Alexsandra Stankovic HPU 6-0, 6-0
6. Default vs. Lauren Shin HPU Default