Polar Bears advance in OAC Tournament Quarterfinals with 6-1 victory over Capital

April 22, 2008

By Patrick Massara

ADA — The Ohio Northern women’s tennis team defeated Capital 6-1 in the Ohio Athletic Conference Tournament Quarterfinals Tuesday afternoon at University Courts.

The Polar Bears move to 19-5 overall this season. ONU finishes the season 8-2 at home. The Crusaders finish their season at 6-8.

Senior Ashley Yontz added two wins on the day for the Polar Bears. She defeated her No. 2 singles opponent 6-1, 6-2. Yontz and fellow senior Betsy Brichler won their No. 2 doubles match 8-2.

Freshman Liz Bajusz added multiple wins as well. She won No. 3 singles 6-1, 6-2. Freshman Jacqueline Sammon joined Bajusz in defeating Capital in No. 1 doubles 8-2.

The sophomore duo of Katie Gibbs and Jacki Hillis added to their team-lead in doubles wins this season as they won No. 3 doubles 8-4. They have won 15 matches this season as partners.

Gibbs also added another win by defeating her No. 4 singles opponent 6-1, 6-1.

“The team came focused today,” stated Bajusz. “We were able to pull it together and advance to the semi-finals.”

“While we have been to the semi-finals before, we did not look past our match today,” commented Coach Scott Wills. “We recognized some things we still need to work on. We look forward to not only competing, but winning in the next round. This year’s tournament is wide-open and anyone can win it.”

Ohio Northern will meet Otterbein in the OAC Semi-finals on Friday at the Lindner Tennis Center in Mason, Ohio at Noon.