Thursday, 04/05/2012

MALIBU, Calif. – The #35 Pepperdine women’s tennis team recovered from a slow start in doubles, and beat West Coast Conference foe Saint Mary’s, ranked #35, by a score of 5-2 on Thursday afternoon. With the victory, the Waves improve to 10-6 and a perfect 4-0 in the conference.

The Gaels (12-6, 5-1 WCC) got off to a strong start, winning two of the three doubles matches to secure the lead heading into singles.

Lorraine Guillermo (Walnut, Calif./Rowland HS) and Khunpak Issara (Bangkok, Thailand/Bangkok Patana School) earned Pepperdine’s sole doubles triumph of the day, downing Jenny Jullien and Jade Frampton by a score of 8-3.

The Waves quickly made up for the early deficit in singles action, cruising to a 3-1 lead behind wins courtesy of Megan Moore (Portland, Ore./Portland Christian HS), Ali Walters (Newport Beach, Calif./Creekside Christian HS/UCLA) and Guillermo.

Moore was unstoppable in the No. 6 match, shutting out Elizabeth Searl 6-0, 6-0. Walters was equally dominant, and defeated Catherine Leduc by scores of 6-3, 6-0.

Guillermo gave Pepperdine a 3-1 lead after putting a 6-2, 6-3 decision in the books against Frampton.

Saint Mary’s continued to threaten, however, and had a set lead in the remaining three matches.

Arianna Colffer (Corona, Calif./Buena Vista) came from behind in the second set, but was unable to force a third and fell 6-2, 7-6 (5).

Issara earned a set back after dropping the first to Jullien, and found the score tied at 4-all in the deciding set. The junior earned a clutch break of serve to take a 5-4 lead, and held serve to secure the match, and the dual for the Waves.

In the final match to finish, Ale Granillo (Pachuca, Mexico/Instituto Hidalgo) found herself in a similar situation and, like Issara, was able to grit out the victory in the third set to put the final team score at 5-2.

The Waves continue this week’s WCC action against #71 San Diego tomorrow (April 6) at 1:30 p.m. The first 100 fans can enjoy FREE pizza, being served at the Ralphs-Straus Tennis Center. The Toreros are the only other team other than Pepperdine to be undefeated in conference play.

#35 Pepperdine 5, #38 Saint Mary's (CA) 2

Singles

1. #91 Khunpak Issara (PEP) def. #82 Jenny Jullien (SMC) 4-6, 6-2, 6-4
2. Ale Granillo (PEP) def. Catherine Isip (SMC) 3-6, 6-2, 7-5
3. Lorraine Guillermo (PEP) def. Jade Frampton (SMC) 6-2, 6-3
4. Anna Chkhikvishvili (SMC) def. Arianna Colffer (PEP) 6-3, 7-6 (7-5)
5. Ali Walters (PEP) def. Catherine Leduc (SMC) 6-3, 6-0
6. Megan Moore (PEP) def. Elizabeth Searl (SMC) 6-0, 6-0

Doubles

1. #28 Khunpak Issara/Lorraine Guillermo (PEP) def. Jenny Jullien/Jade Frampton (SMC) 8-1
2. Catherine Isip/Anna Chkhikvishvili (SMC) def. Arianna Colffer/Ali Walters (PEP) 8-2
3. Molly Aloia/Elizabeth Searl (SMC) def. Megan Moore/Ale Granillo (PEP) 8-3

Match Notes:

Saint Mary's (CA) 12-6, 5-1 WCC; National ranking #38
Pepperdine 10-6, 4-0 WCC; National ranking #35
Order of finish: Doubles (3,1,2); Singles (6,3,5,4,1,2)

# # #