SAN DIEGO, Calif. – Portland’s doubles duo of Megan Sporndli and Lacey Pflibsen finish their 2010 campaign undefeated in WCC play, as the No. 7 seed Portland Pilots women’s tennis team conclude the WCC Championships in sixth-place after suffering a defeat by No. 5 San Francisco Sunday at the Barnes Tennis Center.
Sporndli and Pflibsen went 5-0 in WCC, capped by an 8-4 victory at the No. 1 spot Sunday against USF’s Jennifer Heinser and Melinda Akerbrant.
“We had a decisive win at No. 1 doubles even after Megan sprained her ankle badly at 3-3 in the match,” said women’s head coach Susie Campbell-Gross.
After USF earned a win at the doubles No. 3 position it was up to the No. 2 team of Stefanie Doolittle and Valeska Hoath to clinch the doubles point for UP. They did not disappoint, posting a 9-7 win to set Portland up nicely going into singles action.
“Despite her ankle injury, Megan gave all she had to stay in the line-up to compete for the remainder of the match at the No. 1 singles position as well,” said Campbell-Gross. “Just as both Lacey and Stef Doolittle were about to win their respective matches the Dons had taken four other singles matches. The only disappointment, if any at all, would be that we didn't quite have the physical health to battle through for the victory. That being said, I feel we did everything we could and just fell a bit short. To actually be playing for the win was a slight win in itself.”
The Pilots conclude the tourney in sixth-place for the second straight year.
“I was so proud of the girls efforts once again today,” said Campbell-Gross. “The team played with confidence and heart from start to finish.”
Coach Campbell-Gross’ squad finished the regular season with a 6-13 record (1-4 WCC) and closes out the 2010 season with a 7-15 overall record.
All of the results from the 2010 Men’s and Women’s WCC Tennis Championships can be seen at the Tournament Central page by clicking here.
(#5) San Francisco 4, (#7) Pilots 1
WCC Championships - USF finishes 5th, POR finishes 6th
San Diego, Calif. (Barnes Tennis Center)
April 25, 2010
Doubles
1) Pflibsen-Sporndli, POR def. Heinser-Akerbrant, USF - 8-4
2) Doolittle-Hoath, POR def. Wartenburger-Gratian, USF - 9-7
3) McMahon-Hashiguchi, USF def. Mini-Fuchs, POR - 8-2
Order of finish: 3, 1, 2
Singles
1) Jennifer Heinser, USF def. Megan Sporndli, POR - 6-1, 6-0
2) Julia Wartenburger, USF vs. Lacey Pflibsen, POR - suspended
3) Cecilia Gratian, USF def. Stephanie Fuchs, POR - 6-2, 6-1
4) Melinda Akerbrant, USF vs. Stefanie Doolittle, POR - suspended
5) Yurie Hashiguchi, USF def. Valeska Hoath, POR - 6-2, 6-2
6) Alana McMahon, USF def. Tessa Mini, POR - 6-3, 6-2
Order of finish: 1, 6, 5, 3
WCC Women’s Championships Final Place Finishes (Seed)
1) Saint Mary’s College (1)
2) Pepperdine (2)
3) San Diego (3)
4) Santa Clara (4)
5) San Francisco (5)
6) Portland (7)
7) Gonzaga (6)
8) Loyola Marymount (8)
