GCU shuts out Tarleton State to grab WAC tourney No. 1 seed, 6th regular-season crown
(Phoenix, AZ) The Grand Canyon women’s tennis team needed a win to clinch at least a share of the WAC regular-season title. The Lopes not only won, but they did it convincingly with a 7-0 sweep of Tarleton State on Sunday at GCU Tennis Facility.
GCU (18-2, 6-0 WAC) used its ninth consecutive victory to separate itself from the rest of the conference, needing a win at home next Sunday against UT Arlington (13-6, 3-2 WAC) to clinch the outright title. Tarleton State (14-3, 5-1 WAC) finishes its season Saturday at Abilene Christian (7-11, 4-2 WAC).
The Lopes already have secured the No. 1 seed for the WAC Tournament, where they will defend their title on April 18-20 in Harlingen, Texas.
“We knew Tarleton had a very good team that would bring a lot of energy, but our preparation was mainly focusing on ourselves and what we could control,” GCU second-year head coach Katarina Adamovic said.
She praised the players’ and staff’s commitment and discipline throughout the season saying, “Winning the title not only adds to our program’s legacy but also serves as motivation to continue striving for excellence.”
That legacy includes a sixth WAC regular-season title paired with two WAC Tournament titles to bring the program’s total to eight. The Lopes have won three of the last four regular-season titles.
GCU expected a test against Tarleton State in the first-place tiebreaker.
The Lopes were prepared and claimed the doubles point to start the day. Graduate Natasha Puehse and senior Santa Strombacha took care of business on Court 1, while freshmen Iva Sepa and Elizaveta Morozova claimed Court 3. Both pairs won their fourth straight doubles matches.
In singles play, sweat-free matches from Puehse, Strombacha and freshman Valeriia Krokhotina on Courts 1, 2 and 5, respectively, left no doubt that the afternoon match would be going in the Lopes’ direction. Morozova and Krokhotina extended their singles winning streaks to eight apiece.
GCU handled Tarleton State its first-ever 7-0 loss in WAC competition for the Lopes’ 13th victorous sweep of the season.
Sunday’s regular-season finale vs. UT Arlington will be played at noon (Phoenix time) at GCU Tennis Facility. Other than the obvious implications for an outright title, the Lopes look forward to celebrating their seniors on Senior Day.
Press Release courtesy of Grand Canyon Athletics – Braden Dohrmann
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