AZUSA, Calif. -- The NAIA's No. 3-ranked Azusa Pacific suffered its first defeat of the season, 5-1, to the NCAA Division II's No. 12-ranked Hawaii Pacific. Senior Katy Jelsma and sophomore Sheryl Bon, partnering together for the first time in their careers, registered the only Cougar point, an 8-5 win at No. 2 doubles.
After falling behind 2-1 in their match, Jelsma and Bon reeled off 4 consecutive games to take a 5-2 lead en route to the victory. Hawaii Pacific took the other doubles matches, winning 8-2 at No. 1 doubles, followed by an 8-5 decision at No. 3 doubles to give the Sea Warriors a 2-1 dual match advantage heading into singles play.
"Katy and Sheryl played really solid together," Cougar head coach Mark Bohren said. "They haven't played together before, but they're both naturals on volleys. Since it was a non-conference match, we wanted to try some different things today. It was good to see our doubles play well today."
In singles action, Hawaii Pacific's Nina Mihova posted a 6-0, 6-2 victory at No. 2, quickly followed by Anastasia Ageychik's 6-1, 6-3 win at No. 3 singles. Tinka Mihova clinched the match for the Sea Warriors with a 6-4, 6-2 decision at No. 6 singles over freshman Leah Hoffee.
With the loss, Azusa Pacific drops to 5-1 while Hawaii Pacific advances to 4-0. The Cougars return to Golden State Athletic Conference play, hosting the NAIA's No. 2 Fresno Pacific at the Munson and Bavougian Tennis Complex, Wednesday, March 4, at 2 p.m. in a battle for sole possession of first place in the conference.
SINGLES
1. Sheryl Bon (APU) vs. Zora Vickova (HPU); 6-4, 2-3 DNF
2. Nina Mihova (HPU) def. Casey Wetzig (APU); 6-0, 6-2
3. Anastasia Ageychik (HPU) def. Emily Ignas (APU); 6-1, 6-3
4. Natalie McNall (APU) vs. Sandra Wikstrom (HPU); 7-5, 4-4 DNF
5. Ingrid Cseh (HPU) def. Marie Tanaka (APU); 6-2, 5-2 DNF
6. Tinka Mihova (HPU) def. Leah Hoffee (APU); 6-4, 6-2
Order of finish: 2, 3, 6*
* = clinching match
DOUBLES
1. Cseh/Vickova (HPU) def. Tanaka/Wetzig (APU); 8-2
2. Katy Jelsma/Bon (APU) def. Alexsandra Stankovic/Ageychik (HPU); 8-5
3. Lauren Shin/Wikstrom (HPU) def. Ignas/McNall (APU); 8-5
Order of finish: 1, 3, 2
