WAIPIO, HI (April 19, 2013) – The Hawai'i Pacific Women's Tennis Team advanced to the Pacific West Conference Tournament Final with a 5-1 win over Fresno Pacific. The Sea Warriors will face archrival BYU-Hawaii for the conference crown tomorrow at 10:30 AM at Central Oahu Regional Park.

The doubles team of Ielyzaveta Rybakova and Celina Goetti drew first blood at third doubles with a convincing 8-1 win. Lea Kruse-Utermann and Karen Ramirez battled at second doubles, and emerged with a 9-7 victory. An FPU victory at first doubles left HPU with a 2-1 lead heading to singles action.

The Sunbirds were tough at the top of the lineup, but the Sea Warriors' depth prevailed. Ramirez won 6-3, 6-3 at third singles, but for the second consecutive match HPU clinched the win at the bottom of the lineup. Czech Republic native Magdalena Smejova won 6-4, 6-1 and Kruse-Utermann continued her hot play with a 6-1, 6-2 victory at sixth singles.

The third ranked Sea Warriors moved to 18-1 on the season and will face the fourth ranked Seasiders for a trip the NCAA National Championships. The winner will likely earn the top spot in the West Region and an automatic berth to nationals. The loser will be forced to win the NCAA West Region match to advance.

Doubles
1. Vivian Hansen/Magdalena Smejova (HPU) vs. Marie Boura/Petra Jurova (FPU)-- FPU won 8-7
2. Lea Kruse-Utermann/Karen Ramirez-Rivera (HPU) vs. Erika Januskova/Katarena Paliivets (FPU)-- HPU won 9-7
3. Ielyzaveta Rybakova/Celina Goetti (HPU) vs. Anna Mikhaylova/Nicole Simoni (FPU)-- HPU won 8-1
 
Singles
1. Ielyzaveta Rybakova (HPU) vs. Marie Boura (FPU)-- FPU leads 6-4,
2. Celina Goetti (HPU) vs. Petra Jurova (FPU)-- FPU leads 6-0, 5-4
3. Karen Ramirez Rivera (HPU) vs. Katarena Paliivets (FPU)-- HPU won 6-3, 6-3
4. Vivian Hansen (HPU) vs. Erika Januskova (FPU)-- HPU leads 4-3
5. Magdalena Smejova (HPU) vs. Anna Mikhaylova (FPU)-- HPU won 6-4, 6-1
6. Lea Kruse-Utermann (HPU) vs. Erin Carlson (FPU)-- HPU won 6-1, 6-2