SURPRISE, Ariz. - For the third-consecutive time, Azusa Pacific has beaten Hawai'i Pacific in the PacWest Tournament final, as the Cougars once again raised the trophy as the top team in the conference. The Cougars beat the Sharks by a 4-2 final today to secure the three-peat. Azusa Pacific is now 22-0 this season.

While the Cougars held a 3-0 lead in the match after capturing the doubles point and the first two singles victories, there was still plenty of drama with the four remaining singles matches all leaning in favor of Hawai'i Pacific, as the Sharks had a one-set lead on all four courts. 

The doubles point was won by the Cougars after Hawai'i Pacific won at No. 2, but then Constantin Barth and Soeren Grandke leveled it with a 6-3 victory at No. 3. With the point up for grabs by whoever won the No. 1 matchup, it was Elias Emilio Walter and Miha Velicki that came through in the clutch with a hard-fought 7-5 victory. 

Dominant victories by Walter and Barth gave the Cougars the 3-0 to start singles, as both players won in straight-sets in a little over an hour of play. Walter won at No. 1 by scores of 6-3, 6-2, and Barth won 6-4, 6-2. Walter was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player, as he won all three of his matches this weekend in straight-sets, while also going undefeated alongside Velicki in doubles.

With four courts still in play and the Cougars needing just one final point to clinch the title, Hawai'i Pacific held a set lead at No. 2, No. 3, No. 4 and No. 6. The Sharks would win at No. 2 and No. 6 to make it 3-2, but it was Grandke that rose to the occasion for the Cougars at No. 4. After Grandke dropped his first set by a 4-6 score, he forced a third set with a 6-2 win. Grandke was disinterested in any more drama in the third set, as he dominated play inroute to a 6-0 third set triumph to secure the championship-winning point. 

Azusa Pacific has now won four PacWest titles, as the Cougars also won the 2018 conference crown in addition to their current run of three consecutive. Under head coach Mark Bohren, the program has now won 12 conference titles between its time in the PacWest (2013-present) and the GSAC (1996-2012).

With the conference title secured, the Cougars have clinched the automatic bid to Regionals, which will start around May 13. Since joining the NCAA as a full member in 2015, Azusa Pacific has qualified for Regionals every season. 

Stay tuned to APUCougars.com for more information regarding the Cougars' date, location and opponent in the Regional round.