UCI Women Fall in Final to Pacific

Seventh-seeded Pacific upset top-seeded UC Irvine, 5-3, in the Big West final Saturday in Ojai, denying the Anteaters their first conference title in women’s tennis.

The Anteaters’ No. 1 player, Maureen Diaz, was upset by Pacific’s Susanne Bertel, 6-2, 6-4, but UCI still led, 3-2. Pacific tied it when Diana D’Audrey beat Natalie Exon, 7-6, 5-7, 6-3, at No. 4 singles.

Pacific ended the match by winning at No. 2 and No. 3 doubles. UC Irvine scored its three points on singles victories by Jonni Seymour, Nickole Kabe and Liz Yim.

In the Big West men’s tournament semifinals, Boise State defeated UC Irvine, 4-0, in Ojai.

Boise State’s Leif Meineke, ranked 25th nationally, beat Oliver Schweizer at No. 1 singles, 7-5, 6-2.

Top-seeded Boise State, ranked 25th in the nation, will meet New Mexico State, which defeated Pacific, in the final today.

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Lot Keijzer of Orange Coast swept Georgie Dinham of Mt. San Jacinto, 6-2, 6-1, to advance in the Ojai community college women’s tournament. The semifinals begin at 8 a.m. today. The final is at 11.

Brock Berry and Jon Lippert of Saddleback defeated Lance Johnson and Mike Crawford of Sierra, 6-3, 6-2, in the quarterfinals of the men’s community college tournament in Ojai. The semifinals begin at 11 a.m. today.