No. 11 Academy of Art versus No. 19 Point Loma Final Results

SURPRISE, Ariz. – No. 11-ranked and third-seeded Academy of Art faced their first test in the 2017 PacWest Championships on Thursday afternoon. The Urban Knights faced the No. 6 seed Point Loma Sea Lions in a rematch from earlier this year and took the match by a dominant score of 5-1.

 
As per usual, ART U had a strong showing in singles with No. 11 twins Alma Thell-Lenntorp and Klara Thell-Lenntorp taking the win in the first position by a score of 8-2. Senior Annika Schneider and sophomore Taisiia Andrieieva initially trailed at the onset of their match in second doubles, but roared from behind to take the match 8-6. In the third position, sophomores Monika Stanikova and Paula Alcantara were the lone doubles tandem to not record a win in the category, but were close throughout. Down 7-6, the duo fought off a match point, but PLNU ultimately prevailed 8-6.
 
Academy of Art headed to singles with a 2-1 lead and only needed three wins to punch a ticket to the semifinals. The Sea Lions were strong out of the gate however, and initially led in nearly all six matches. Showing their resilience, the Urban Knights bounced back and swept the category 3-0. Up top, Stanikova upset No. 45 Nikki Newell in straight sets by a score of 6-3, 6-1 while A. Thell-Lenntorp was dominant in fifth singles with a 6-1, 6-1 score. Alcantara took the final match in sixth position after trailing early and clawing back to win the match in straight sets, 6-3, 6-1.
 
With the win, ART U now advances to the semifinals and will face No. 5 Hawaii Pacific on Friday at 1:30 p.m. The Sharks are a familiar foe to the Urban Knights. In fact, the Knights faced HPU in an identical situation in 2015. After defeating Sonoma State in the first round, ART U upset No. 7 Hawaii Pacific for their first-ever victory over the Sharks, but later fell to HPU when in the first round of the West Regionals. It was the second-consecutive loss to Hawaii Pacific in the West Regionals as the Knights fell 0-5 in 2014. The two faced each other once again in the 2016 conference championship, but Academy of Art was just edged in round two of the boxing match by a score of 3-5. Round three will likely treat the supporters at the Surprise Tennis and Racquet Complex to an enticing duel as the Urban Knights will look to come out on top and advance to their second PacWest Championship Final.