MOBILE, Ala. -- This was not the way Azusa Pacific wanted its season to conclude but in the end the roadblock that is Fresno Pacific thwarted it a final time.

The Sunbirds knocked off the Cougars, 5-1, to advance to the championship match of the NAIA Tournament where they will face Auburn Montgomery.

Thematically, it was a repeat of what Azusa Pacific faced in the GSAC and in the Region II playoffs. Jelena Pandzic has made a strong case this season that she is the best player in the nation and did not do that reputation a disservice with her performance. After notching a doubles win, she beat Jennifer Dao, 6-0, 6-0 at No. 1 singles.

The Cougars picked up a win at No. 6 singles as Katy Jelsma breezed past Janelle Jackson, 6-1, 6-1.

"I'm proud of the girls and the season they had," said head coach Mark Bohren. "We obviously would have liked to have moved on but Fresno Pacific is a great team and played well today."

The match did not get off to a good start for the Cougars in doubles play when the No. 3 team of Peggy Bell and Raquel Gottfried fell 8-3 to Megan Hanner and Meghan Scott. Bell and Gottfried had previously beaten Hanner and Scott in the Region II final.

The Sunbirds went on to capture all 3 doubles matches in building a commanding early advantage en route to the win.

Azusa Pacific finishes its season with a 21-6 record.

Singles

#1 - Jelena Pandzic (FPU) def. Jennifer Dao (APU), 6-0, 6-0

#2 - Angie Minova (FPU) def. Peggy Bell (APU), 6-0, 6-1

#3 - Anna Karavayeva (FPU) vs. Kim Tran (APU), 6-1, 4-1

#4 - Megan Hanner (FPU) vs. Bay Daniels (APU), 2-6, 4-4 DNF

#5 - Amandine Ferot (FPU) vs. Raquel Gottfried (APU), DNF

#6 - Katy Jelsma (APU) def. Janelle Jackson (FPU), 6-1, 6-1

Doubles

#1 - Pandzic/Ferot (FPU) def. Dao/Tran (APU), 8-4

#2 - Minova/Karavayera (FPU) def. Daniels/Jelsma (APU), 8-2

#3 - Hanner/Meghan Scott (FPU) def. Bell/Gottfried (APU), 8-3