May 17, 2007

MOBILE, Ala. - No. 1 Auburn Montgomery (Ala.) and No. 2 Fresno Pacific (Calif.) advanced to the 2007 NAIA Women's Tennis National Championship match setting up a final round rematch from the 2006 season. Last year Auburn Montgomery defeated Fresno Pacific, 5-1 to win their seventh crown overall. The stage is set as Fresno Pacific looks to capture its first national championship title, matches get underway on Friday, May 18, at 1 p.m. at the Mobile Tennis Center in Mobile, Ala.  

In semifinal action Auburn Montgomery captured a spot in the championship round with a 5-3 win over Lindsey Wilson (Ky.). The Senators were unscathed entering semifinal play but lost two out of three doubles in close matches. The duo of Dominika Zuzulova and Kamila Dadkhodjaeva took the lone 8-5 doubles win for AUM. The Senators turned the tide in the singles round and walked away with five match points securing a spot the championship bracket.

Fresno Pacific moved into the championship round with a decisive 5-2 win over Freed-Hardeman (Tenn.). The Sunbirds swept doubles play 8-5, 8-4 and 8-3 and had a solid showing in singles. Junior Jelena Pandzic, who took the lone match for Fresno Pacific in last year's championship match-up against the Senators, has had a stellar 2007 tournament and looks to help the team win its first national championship title.

AUM, who finished the season 25-1, will be going for its eighth team title in Senator tennis history, while Fresno Pacific, 22-1 on the season, will attempt to win its first national championship.

Play resumes at the Mobile Tennis Center on Friday in both men's and women's tennis. Fans can follow all of the action online at www.naia.org.

 

NAIA

A leader in the development of student-athletes, the NAIA is committed to changing the culture of sport through Champions of Character. Founded in 1937, the NAIA continues to be a pioneer in implementing exceptional standards for academics, diversity, and character. Today, the NAIA sponsors 23 collegiate championships in 13 sports for its nearly 300 member institutions throughout the United States and Canada. To learn more about the NAIA visit www.naia.org.