May 18, 2006

MOBILE, Ala. - Top-seeded Auburn University Montgomery (Ala.) played its way into the title match for the third consecutive year with a 5-2 semifinal victory against Lindsey Wilson College (Ky.) at the 2006 NAIA Women's Tennis National Championship.  Fresno Pacific University (Calif.) advanced after a 5-1 win against Azusa Pacific University (Calif.) at the Mobile Tennis Center.

Lindsey Wilson took the first lead, winning at the #1 doubles spot, 8-4.  AUM tied the match at one apiece taking the #2 doubles 9-7 and extended its lead to 2-1 after winning the #3 doubles match. Lindsey Wilson tied the match 2-2 when Candela Castanon won at #1 singles against Kamila Dadakhodjaeva, 6-1, 6-1.  AUM responded at the #3 singles with a 6-1, 6-1 victory for a 3-2 lead.  Lindsey Wilson was ahead in #2 singles but could not get closer as AUM won both the #4 and #5 singles for the 5-2 score.

The other semifinal match saw second-seeded Fresno Pacific jump to a 3-0 lead after winning all three doubles matches against fellow conference-member Azusa Pacific.  Today's meeting was the fourth of the season for the Golden State Athletic Conference teams, with FPU winning the previous three meetings.  Fresno continued its winning ways against APU, winning both the #1 and #2 singles matches.  Katy Jelsma was the lone Azusa player to win at the #6 singles slot, 6-1, 6-1.

Auburn Montgomery (30-1) will defend its national title against Fresno Pacific (24-1) on Friday, May 19 at 10 a.m. (Central).  AUM will go for its record-setting seventh national crown while Fresno is looking to cap a storybook season by winning its first women's tennis title in its first season of competitive competition.

Semifinal Results

Auburn Montgomery (30-1) def. Lindsey Wilson (23-3), 5-2
Fresno Pacific (24-1) def. Azusa Pacific (21-6), 5-1 

Championship Match
10 a.m. - Auburn Montgomery (30-1) vs. Fresno Pacific (24-1)

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