LAIE, HI (February 27, 2013) – For the first time in program history, the Hawai'i Pacific Women's Team (4-0) defeated intra-island nemesis BYU-Hawaii (9-1). The 5-4 triumph was not just one for the record books, but also a clash of two of the top five teams in the country.

Logically, it was not an easy win for HPU. The score was knotted at four with Celina Goetti on the court at second singles against the 3rd ranked singles player in the country, Sherry Liu. With the match square at one set apiece, Goetti fell behind 1-4 in the decisive third set. The junior would rally with all hope seemingly lost. Goetti caught fire and reeled off four straight games to come to the brink. Liu fought off match point twice, but Goetti was not to be denied and crushed a forehand winner to send the Sea Warrior in a frenzy.

“At 4-1 down I was feeling like it was a lost cause, but at 4-3 I started to believe I had a chance to win. I was really nervous on my first match point, but when I finally won on the third match point it was surreal. I don't even remember what happened after that,” said Goetti.

The Sea Warriors put themselves behind the proverbial eight ball after dropping two of the three doubles matches to start the day.  It was Goetti and Liza Rybakova keeping HPU in it by teaming up at third doubles for the 8-4 win.

Magdalena Smejova got HPU on the board in singles action with a straight set 6-3, 6-3 win at fifth singles. At sixth singles, Carrie Shuler also need just two sets to dump Jade Griffin 6-3, 7-5. Karen Ramirez fell in the first set 3-6, but responded with 6-2 and 6-3 wins to tie the match and setting the stage for Goetti.

The victory over 2nd ranked BYU-Hawaii is a signature win for second year head coach Lauren Conching, Conching had four top 25 wins last year, but this was her first top five triumph. Conching commented after the match, “I'm so proud of our team today. This is the biggest win in the history of the program and they have finally proved how talented they are.”  

The loss for BYU-H is the first regular season duel match loss since joining Division II in 1999, Goetti was eight years-old.   

HPU next travels to San Diego for three matches, starting with 14th ranked Cal State-LA on March 7th at 3:00 PM.

Doubles
1. #2 Annie Hwang/Sherry Liu (BYUH) def. Vivian Hansen/ Magdalena Smejova (HPU) 8-2
2. #20 Marika Kobayashi/ Marietta Tuionetoa (BYUH) def. Lea Kruse-Utermann/ Karen Ramirez (HPU) 8-0
3. Celina Goetti/Ielyzaveta Rybakova (HPU) def. Sasha Ulbrichtova/Jade Griffin (BYUH) 8-4
 
Singles
1. #1 Annie Hwang (BYUH) def. Ielyzaveta Rybakova (HPU) 6-0, 6-1
2. #40 Celina Goetti (HPU) def. #3 Sherry Liu (BYUH) 7-6(6), 3-6, 6-4
3. #39 Karen Ramirez (HPU) def. #34 Marika Kobayashi (BYUH) 2-6, 6-2, 6-1
4. Marietta Tuionetoa (BYUH) def. Vivian Hansen (HPU) 6-1, 6-2
5. #44 Magdalena Smejova (HPU) def. Sasha Ulbrichtova (BYUH) 6-3, 6-3
6. Carrie Shuler (HPU) def. Jade Griffin (BYUH) 6-3, 7-5