Box Score

#1 Fresno Pacific found itself in an unfamiliar place on Wednesday as the Sunbirds saw their undefeated GSAC record threatened vs. #3 Point Loma Nazarene in San Diego. FPU, however, would pull out the win 5-4, keeping its 86-match GSAC win streak intact.

With two matches left to finish the Sunbirds were clinging to a 4-3 lead, in very real danger of dropping the match. Marie Boura would come through for the team at #2 singles though, fending off PLNU's Ashley Litchfield 6-4, 6-4.

It proved to be critical too, because shortly after Erika Januskova at #5 singles was unable to pull out a 12-10 tiebreaker with PLNU's Maika Adair which made the final score 5-4 Sunbirds.

FPU began the day by taking two of three from the Sea Lions in doubles play. One of the wins came at the #1 spot, where Boura and Januskova defeated Litchfield and NAIA #1 Kristin Strimple, a spot FPU had not won when the two teams met in Fresno earlier this season.

Yumiko Justin made quick work of Rachel Owens 6-1, 6-1 at the #4 singles spot to begin singles play and put FPU ahead 3-1. The Sea Lions got one back though when their #6 Wileen Chiu defeated Heidi Jackson 6-1, 6-0.

Similar to the previous match in Fresno, Strimple defeated Sara Celma at the #1 spot 6-2, 6-2. But Cristina Valladeres came through with a much needed win for the Sunbirds at #3, defeating Jessica Kwan 6-2, 6-0.

"It was another tough match with Point Loma," said coach Neil Castro "But the girls stayed focused under pressure and that's what got us through."

FPU concluded the conference schedule at 14-0 and will compete in the Ojai Tournament later this month before nationals. It was just the second loss on the season for PLNU, both coming at the hands of the Sunbirds.