SANTA BARBARA, Calif. -- Last weekend, the NAIA's No. 4-ranked Azusa Pacific posted back-to-back come-from-behind wins against NAIA-ranked foes in a span of just over 24 hours. The Cougars were rested for Tuesday's visit to Westmont, and it showed in their 8-1 road win over Westmont Tuesday afternoon.
Azusa Pacific swept all 3 doubles points and won the first 2 singles matches to conclude, sealing the match before Westmont could register its lone point of the dual match, a straight-sets No. 2 singles win. Senior Katy Jelsma and sophomore Casey Wetzig completed the doubles sweep with an 8-5 win in the top doubles position, following 8-2 wins at No. 2 and 3, and freshman Leah Hoffee's 6-2, 6-1 win at No. 6 in singles gave Azusa Pacific a commanding 4-0 lead.
Freshman Natalie McNall, who tied both of the Cougars' comeback wins at 4-4 with victories in singles play, this time provided the clincher with a 6-3, 6-0 win at No. 4. Sophomores Sheryl Bon (No. 1) and Marie Tanaka (No. 5) posted singles victories in straight sets, and freshman Emily Ignasdispatched Westmont's Kristen Lee in 3 sets at No. 3 to wrap up the contest.
With the win, Azusa Pacific is off to a 4-0 start for just the fourth time in the program's 12-year history, and the Cougars' 4-match season-opening win streak is its first since 2004. The Cougars continue along the 18-match Golden State Athletic Conference schedule when they host the NAIA's No. 10-ranked Vanguard in a 2 p.m. match at the Munson & Bavougian Tennis Complex, a brand-new facility that hosted its first-ever intercollegiate match last Saturday.
SINGLES
1. Sheryl Bon (APU) def. Ilissa Mathews (WC); 7-5, 6-2
2. Cassie Strange (WC) def. Casey Wetzig (APU); 6-2, 6-2
3. Emily Ignas (APU) def. Kristen Lee (WC); 1-6, 6-2, 6-4
4. Natalie McNall (APU) def. Christina Klein (WC); 6-3, 6-0
5. Marie Tanaka (APU) def. Sarah Kamida (WC); 6-3, 6-0
6. Leah Hoffee (APU) def. Sarah Chhum (WC); 6-2, 6-1
Order of finish: 6, 4*, 2, 5, 1, 3 (* = deciding match)
DOUBLES
1. Katy Jelsma/Wetzig (APU) def. Mathews/Strange (WC); 8-5
2. Bon/Tanaka (APU) def. Klein/Lee (WC); 8-2
3. Jessalyn Lau/Hoffee (APU) def. Chhum/Kamida (WC); 8-2
Order of finish: 3, 1, 2
