Box Score

AZUSA, Calif. – As they say: the fourth time is the charm. After defeating No. 11 Azusa Pacific in their fourth NCAA Regionals appearance, No. 10 Academy of Art is headed to Nationals for the first time in program history.
 
Facing off for the third time this season, the Cougars were familiar foes of the Urban Knights. Having defeated APU in both of their last two matches, ART U utilized the same formula which brought them success before: strong doubles. Just as they did in their PacWest semifinals win over the Cougars, the Knights swept the doubles category to take a commanding, 3-0 lead into singles. In the top position, No. 8-ranked Alma Thell-Lenntorp and Klara Thell-Lenntorp took their match by the score of 8-4. Meanwhile, sophomore Mariacristina Andrisani and junior Taisiia Andrieieva fended off their adversary 8-6 in No. 2 doubles while juniors Monika Stanikova and Paula Alcantara won 8-3.
 
Needing just two more wins out of the six singles matches, ART U knew that it would be no easy task as APU boasted four ranked players. The Cougars managed to defeat No. 11 Stanikova in first singles 6-3, 6-4 and Andrieieva 6-0, 6-3 in the fourth position. APU also took the win in No. 2 singles, but No. 25 K. Thell-Lenntorp nearly posted an upset over her No. 16-ranked opponent, taking things into a third set after she won the second by the score of 6-4. Despite her loss, two Urban Knights emerged with a win to seal the victory. A. Thell-Lenntorp soundly defeated No. 54 April Wong 6-2, 6-2 in the fifth spot, but it was Alcantara who provided the clincher in a tough, 3-set match. The native of Madrid, Spain initially lost the first set 6-1, but would not be denied in the second, winning 7-6 (7-5). Then, in the third and decisive set, Alcantara only conceded three games to her opponent as she took it 6-3.
 
When the final point had been played, the rest of the Urban Knights' team stormed the court in a moment of pure elation which could only mean one thing: a berth to Nationals.
 
"I am very proud of the girls and how they performed today," said head coach Clarisse Baca. "Taking a 3-0 lead meant a lot for us, just as it did in the PacWest tournament. This being the first time that the team has made it to Nationals is very special and I am very fortunate to be a part of it. However, we cannot forget all of the hard work from the previous coaches of the program. This week, we are going to focus on recovery and the small details that we need to work on in order to be prepared for the next step."
 
Nationals will take place May 8-11 back at Surprise Tennis and Racquet Complex in Surprise, Ariz. where the PacWest Championship took place.