SURPRISE, AZ (April 17, 2015) – The Surprise Tennis and Racquet Complex lived up to its name on Friday when the seventh-ranked Sharks were upset by #11 Academy of Art, 5-3. HPU will play for third place in the PacWest, and potentially a spot in the regional, tomorrow.

The #11 doubles team of Kristyna Hancarova and Nicole Hoynaski won 8-5 in the first position, their Hawai'i Pacific teammates didn't fare as well. The Urban Knights captured wins at second and third doubles to earn the advantage.

Art U won at sixth singles to take a 3-1 lead. Kruse-Utermann was dominant at fifth singles (6-0, 6-1) to keep HPU in it at 3-2. However, Academy of Art added a win at the third position to regain momentum. The Sharks didn't go away, Lorena Gheorghe grinded out a 7-5, 6-1 win to make it 4-3. HPU led in the third set at second singles but the tables were turned and Art U advances.

The Sharks will face #22 Cal State Los Angeles in the third place match tomorrow in Surprise.