Women's Tennis Captures Doubles Title

FULLERTON, CALIF. - The University of Oregon women's tennis team celebrated the Cal State Fullerton Intercollegiate doubles title on Sunday (Oct. 9) as junior Patricia Skowronski and freshman Sofia Hager combined to go 5-0 for the tournament.

"It was a really good tournament for those two to win the doubles title," said Oregon head coach Paul Reber. "They beat two very talented Long Beach State teams on the last day to win the title."

The Oregon duo took down two different CSULB opponents starting in the semifinals where they defeated the pairing of Julie Luzar and Sarah Cantlay 8-0. The Ducks then faced the talented doubles team made up of singles play finalists Rachel Manasse and Laura Bernard. After falling behind early in the match, Skowronski and Hager battled back to win 8-6.

"We got off to a slow start. A little bit of a mental let down at 1-4," stated coach Reber. "They really tightened things up to win the last seven games to win the title."

In singles action, Oregon's Haley Driver saw her impressive first tournament of her career come to an end in Sunday's semifinal match. The freshman fell to Long Beach's Laura Bernard 6-2, 6-1.

"Great effort from Haley making the semifinals in her first ever college tournament," remarked coach Reber. "It was a great start to her college career and we look forward to more good things from her in the future."

Aside from the main draw, the Ducks competed in numerous "put-together" and consolation matches.

"We got a lot of matches in and that's why we play the fall tournaments," said coach Reber, "to get as many matches in as possible."

The final for the CSUF Intercollegiate will take place Monday (Oct. 10) on the campus of Cal State Long Beach after fellow 49ers Rachel Bernard and Rachel Manasse advanced to the championship match.

The Oregon women's tennis team next appears in action on Friday, Oct. 21 in Palo Alto, Calif. where they will compete in the ITA Regionals.