After going undefeated in the regular Golden State Athletic Conference season, the Westmont women’s tennis team claimed the GSAC Tournament title with a 5-2 win over third-seeded Vanguard (11-15) at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden on Friday.
As a result of the win, the Warriors (17-2) punched their ticket to the NAIA National Tournament in Mobile, Alabama in May.
The Warriors’ first point came at No. 3 doubles where Alyson Meyer and Fernanda Rivera posted an 8-4 win over Melanie Parker and Anita Taranto. Meanwhile, a seesaw battled was being waged on court number one where Westmont’s Jessica Cedillo and Tara Yekrang were taking on Vanguard’s Labarthe and Sullivan.
The Lions’ duo held a 6-5 lead but he Warriors broke and then held serve to go up 7-6. Vanguard then tied the match at seven before Westmont held serve to make it 8-7. Facing the possibility of playing a tiebreaker if Vanguard held serve, Cedillo and Yekrang broke serve again to record a 9-7 win and make the score 2-0 in favor of the Warriors.
On the No. 2 doubles court, Grace Davis and Nicci Yvanovich seemed to be cruising to an easy win with a 7-1 lead. However, Vanguard’s Nina Pudar and Gabriele Alford reeled off eight straight games to win the match 9-7 and make the team score 2-1.
Carolyn Stevens picked up the first singles point for the Warriors by defeating Taranto 6-1, 6-1 on the number six court. Emily Keach then completed play on court five, defeating Parker 6-2, 6-3 to make the score 4-1.
The final point came at number three singles where Cedillo defeated Sullivan 6-1, 6-4 and initiated a Warrior championship celebration.
Following the awarding of the tournament trophy and banner, the champions received an additional reward – an opportunity to visit the professional players’ private locker room and gather on center court of the Indian Wells Tennis Garden 16,000-seat main venue.
Before heading east for the NAIA National Tournament, the Warriors will participate in the Ojai Tournament at the end of April.
