For SDSU, Depth Proves the Winning Difference
San Diego State used its overwhelming depth to hold off UC Santa Barbara Sunday, taking five of six singles matches to win the Pacific Coast Athletic Assn. women’s tennis championships at UC Irvine.
Going into Sunday’s play, the No. 12 Aztecs held a two-point lead (29-27) over the Gauchos in the overall standings. Of the three head-to-head singles matches between the teams, the Aztecs won twice.
Top-seeded and 12th-ranked Monique Javer of the Aztecs won her singles final over Mette Frank of UCSB, 6-1, 6-4, and Aztec Kristin Hill defeated Jill Thomson of UCSB, 6-4, 6-3. Other Aztec winners were Anne Moller, Cathy Berry and Dana Bleicher.
The Gauchos’ only singles’ winner was Becky Barmore of Costa Mesa and Orange Coast College, who defeated Jessica Buss of San Diego State, 2-6, 6-1, 7-5.
“Individually, we played very well,” Aztec Coach Carol Plunkett said. “We played with a lot of pressure and poise today. I’m very proud of this team.”
Berry played despite suffering from food poisoning after eating Saturday evening. She wasn’t sure she would play until 10 minutes before her match Sunday morning.
“It was so important I had to come out and try,” Berry said. “I owe it to myself and my teammates.” She won her matches in straight sets, defeating Jodi Neuman of Cal State Long Beach, 6-4, 7-5.
San Diego State won the tournament with 40 points, followed by Santa Barbara with 34, Irvine 25, University of the Pacific 24, Long Beach 21, Hawaii 14, Nevada-Las Vegas 11 and Cal State Fullerton 2.
Doubles competition saw UCI win both of its final matches for a surprising third-place finish. Dina Trenwith and Haruko Shigekawa battled back in their match. Down 0-4 in the second set, they won six straight games to win the doubles title, 6-0, 6-4, over Cindy Lauer and Jane Howe of UNLV. The other UCI doubles team of Stephanie Rhorer and Libby Despot won its match, 7-6 (7-5), 6-2, defeating the Gaucho team of Thomson and Liz Costa.
Irvine Coach Doreen Irish was elated with her team’s surprising finish. “I’m so happy for the girls. This third-place finish should help our program grow.”
The Aztecs’ Javer (25-8) was named PCAA player of the year and her coach, Plunkett, was named coach of the year at the end of the tournament.