SAN DIEGO, CALIF. -- The NAIA's No. 26-ranked Azusa Pacific posted its biggest win in its 2-year program history, stunning No. 14-ranked Point Loma Nazarene, 5-4, in a Golden State Athletic Conference women's tennis match Monday afternoon in San Diego.
It was the first time in at least 2 full seasons (1997-1998) that a GSAC team, other than Westmont, has beat the Crusaders.
The Cougars got on top by winning 2 of the 3 doubles matches. Michelle Solt and Carrie Nordin, playing together for the first time this year, defeated Darcy Duffin and Leane Leontieff, 8-6. Soon after, Birgitte Brubakken and Eva Dvorakova upset the NAIA's No.16-ranked doubles team of Theresa Kain and Layne Champion, 8-4.
Azusa Pacific won the match with the strength of the top of its ladder. Brubakken used deep, powerful ground strokes to defeat the No. 41-ranked Kain at No. 1 singles, 6-4, 6-1, and Dvorakova beat Champion for the second time this year, 6-1, 6-2 at the No. 2 slot.
The first singles win of the day for the Cougars came at No. 3, where Solt upended Leontieff, 6-1, 6-2.
Azusa Pacific, improves to 4-1 overall, 2-1 in the GSAC, while Point Loma falls to 0-2, 0-1 in the GSAC. The Cougars take on So. Cal College in a GSAC match Feb. 20 in Costa Mesa.
MATCH SUMMARY
Singles
Birgitte Brubakken (APU) def. Theresa Kain (PLNU) 6-4, 6-1
Eva Dvorakova (APU) def. Layne Champion (PLNU) 6-1, 6-2
Darcy Duffin (PLNU) def. Carrie Nordin (APU) 6-0, 6-1
Michelle Solt (APU) def. Leane Leontieff (PLNU) 6-1, 6-2
Brooke Phillips (PLNU) def. Marie Torres (APU) 6-2, ret.
Krista Austin (PLNU) def. Ann Thomas (APU) 6-1, 6-1
Doubles
Brubakken/Dvorakova (APU) def. Kain/Champion (PLNU) 8-4
Solt/Nordin (APU) def. Duffin/Leontieff (PLNU) 8-6
Phillips/Austin (PLNU) def. Torres/Thomas (APU) 8-2
