FULLERTON, Calif. – No. 7 Azusa Pacific opened its 2022 season on the road at Division I Cal State Fullerton on Saturday afternoon, where the Cougars were beaten by a 7-2 final. 

Nora Liga, who entered this fall ranked as the No. 3 Division II women's singles player by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association, won in both singles and doubles on the day. In doubles, Liga and teammate Madison Kane made quick work of their opponents in the No. 1 matchup, winning 6-2. Cal State Fullerton won the other two doubles matches to claim the point. 

In singles, Liga's win at No. 1 against Natalie Duffy was the lone point on the day for the Cougars. Liga bounced back from a 1-6 first set defeat with a 6-3 win in the second to force a third and final set. In the third, she was able to outlast Duffy, eventually winning by a 7-6 tally. 

Carloyn Brooner nearly scored another point for the Cougars at No. 3, where she took opponent YuSeung Suh to three sets. Brooner opened with a 6-4 win, but Suh tied it at 1-1 with a 6-3 victory. Brooner and Suh battled to a third set tie break, where Suh would win 10-5 for the deciding 7-6 set victory. 

At No. 4, April Wong was also able to battle into the third set against Juliette Daries. After losing the first set 6-1, she responded with a 6-2 advantage in the second. Daries would win the matchup in the third set by a final of 6-4. For Wong, it was her first match back after she redshirted the 2021 season.

Cal State Fullerton took the No. 2, No. 4 and No. 5 matches in straight sets. 

Up Next: The Cougars will return to the court for their home opener next Saturday, February 5, when Fresno Pacific comes to town. First serve is set for 9:30 am, and those who are unable to attend can follow along with live scoring here.