SBCC posted one of its biggest women’s tennis victories in more than a decade on Tuesday as the Vaqueros upended No. 3 seed Riverside 5-1 in a Southern Cal Regional quarterfinal match at Bushman Tennis Center in Riverside.
“This is the biggest win in my four years as coach,” said Debbie Ekola. “This is a giant over-the-top win. Just amazing.”
Santa Barbara, the fifth seed, improved to 13-2 with its third straight win and seventh in eight matches. It was the Vaqueros’ first playoff win since 2001 when they captured the state title with a 20-0 record.
Riverside, the Orange Empire League champion, had its 13-match win streak snapped. The Tigers finish with a 16-2 record. Sophie Angner and Talia Hudson posted straight-set wins at Nos. 1 and 2 singles.
The doubles weren’t necessary after the Vaqueros got the decisive fifth point when Henrietta Spetz beat AJ Borja 6-2, 6-7 (2), 6-1. Lindsay Penner rallied from a 5-2 deficit in the second set to sweep Natalie Tomlin 6-2, 7-5.
“Megan Thomas got a huge win — 6-4, 7-6 (4) — at No. 4 singles,” noted Ekola. “That made the score 4-1 instead of 3-2. It really took the pressure off Henrietta.”
The Vaqueros will travel to top-seeded and unbeaten Palomar (19-0) for the Regional semifinals on Tuesday. The Comets beat El Camino 5-2 on Tuesday.
No. 2 Ventura will take on No. 4 Orange Coast in the other semifinal.
RESULTS:
SBCC 5, Riverside 1.
Singles–Sophie Angner, SB, def. Brooke Vorhees 6-2, 6-1; Talia Hudson, SB, def. Camille Requiestas 6-3, 6-0; Henrietta Spetz, SB, def. Alejandra Borja 6-3, 6-7 (2), 6-1; Megan Thomas, SB, def. Prisilla Cobian 6-4 7-6 (4); Alecs Comahig, R, def. Hannah Erickson 6-3, 6-0; Lindsay Penner, SB, def. Natalie Tomlin 6-2, 7-5.
Records–SBCC 13-2, RCC 16-2.
