The BYU-Hawaii Women’s Tennis team, ranked third nationally, reached the pinnacle of college tennis last week but fell short against defending national champions No. 2 Armstrong Atlantic State in the NCAA Division II National Championship. The Seasiders lost in the championship match 5-2 winning the top singles spot, but taking only one of three doubles matches. They made an incredible run to the championship though, winning 21 straight matches and dominating the Pacific West conference tournament. They finished with an astounding overall record of 30-2. BYUH lost to Armstrong Atlantic State in last year’s national championship match, earning National Runner-Up honors. Senior Player of the Year, Annie Hwang, and doubles partner Sherry Liu combined for an 8-6 win at the number one doubles spot, but the Seasiders dropped their other two matches, losing 8-3 at number two doubles and 8-5 at the third position. In singles play, the Seasiders appeared to take control of the match as they won the first set in five of the six singles slots. Hwang claimed 6-1, 6-1 victories at the number two singles to even the match at 2-2, but Armstrong Atlantic State won in straight sets at number three singles to reclaim the overall lead. The Pirates then scored comeback wins at number six and number four singles to close out the match. To reach the Championship match, the Seasiders defeated fifth-ranked Abilene Christian 5-2 semifinal match tournament, just a day prior. The Seasiders took two of the three doubles matches and won at the top three singles slots to advance to the championship match. In doubles play, Marietta Tuionetoa and Marika Kobayashi won 8-4 at No. 2 doubles to put the Seasiders on top 1-0, but BYUH suffered a loss at No. 3 doubles tying the score at 1-1. Hwang and Liu combined for an 8-6 win at number one doubles to give the Seasiders a 2-1 lead heading into singles play. In singles play, Hwang claimed a 6-1, 6-0 victory at number two singles, and Kobayashi earned a 6-4, 6-4 win at the third singles slot to give the Seasiders a commanding 4-1 lead. After a setback at number five singles, Liu closed out the match with a 6-2, 6-1 win at number two singles.
Writer: Austin Meldrum~Multimedia Journalist
