AZUSA, Calif. -- Even when Jelena Pandzic doesn't strike the ball well things still have a good chance of turning out well.

During a doubles point, Pandzic clipped the ball with the side of her racket but still managed to lay down a drop shot in front of Jennifer Dao and Kim Tran. It was that kind of day for both sides as Fresno Pacific defeated Azusa Pacific, 5-2, to claim the Region II championship on Friday on an overcast day in Azusa.

The Sunbirds took a 2-1 lead after doubles play and put on an impressive performance in singles play. Each of their top 3 players were victorious in straight sets as Pandzic defeated Dao, 6-2, 6-3.

Angelina Minova beat Peggy Bell 6-1, 6-2 to put the Sunbirds at the cusp of their first regional title. Fresno Pacific finished the job and, in the first year of its program, beat the Cougars for the third time this season.

Christiana Scolinos was the lone singles winner for Azusa Pacific winning 6-1, 6-1 over Janelle Jackson.

Fresno Pacific earns an automatic berth into the NAIA Championship Tournament. Meanwhile, the Cougars fell to 19-5 but will receive an at-large bid to the national competition.

Doubles

1 – Jelena Pandzic/Amandine Ferot (FPU) d. Jennifer Dao/Kim Tran (APU), 8-2

2 – Angelina Minova/Anna Karavayeva (FPU) d. Bay Daniels/Katy Jelsma (APU), 8-2

3 – Peggy Bell/Raquel Gottfried (APU) d. Megan Hanner/Meghan Scott (FPU), 8-4

Singles

1 - Pandzic (FPU) d. Dao (APU), 6-2, 6-3

2 – Minova (FPU) d. Bell (APU), 6-1, 6-2

3 – Karavayeva (FPU) d. Tran (APU), 6-1, 6-0

6 – Christiana Scolinos (APU) d. Janelle Jackson (FPU), 6-1, 6-1