FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – With two things in mind, the Northern Arizona women's tennis team took to the court at Continental Country Club on Sunday for their 2015 home finale. After honoring their seniors Johanna Vang and Sarah Maria Spruch prior to their match, the Lumberjacks proceeded to make it a successful Senior Day by defeating Portland State, 7-0. The win allowed the 'Jacks to accomplish what they set out to do: clinch a spot in the Big Sky tournament and avenge a loss to the Vikings on the road last season.

"It's very bittersweet and right now it's really sad of course," Vang said. "I'm so excited to win this match though because we clinched a spot in the tournament. I just really wanted to win this match especially because we wanted revenge. It's all we talked about and we were going to fight until the last shot. The crowd was awesome and I appreciate everyone coming out."

The senior duo came up big in doubles play, playing a pivotal role in NAU clinching the doubles point and the 1-0 lead in the match. First, Spruch and freshman Livia Hollosy got the ball rolling with a clean 6-0 win at No. 3, but the Vikings answered with a win at No. 2. Needing a victory to clinch the point, Vang and sophomore Marta Lewandowska held off the hard charging No. 1 Portland State duo of Dane Vorster and Siena Peri to win in a tiebreak, 7-6 (3).

"Our seniors stepped up big time," said head coach Kim Bruno. "Instead of cracking under the pressure, they did the complete the opposite. Sarah got the first win for us in doubles and Johanna clinched it then came up first in singles as well. They got the party started today, there's no question about it."

Riding the wave of an emotional doubles win, Vang then got on the board with a dazzling performance wrapping up a perfect final home match. Winning by a 6-2, 6-1 score, the senior provided the Lumberjacks with their first singles victory of the day.

Vang's win set the tone for the rest of the team as NAU proceeded to win the next four matches in straight sets. Sophomore Hailey Rochin, sophomore Emelia Box, junior Jordan Denesik and Lewandowska won at the No. 2 through 5 spots to seal up the team the score in the Lumberjacks' favor.

Box's 6-4, 6-3 victory at No. 3 was a significant one given that her opponent, Portland State's Tracy Dong entered the day on a nine-match win streak and having won 18 of her last 20 matches and posting a 15-2 record this spring. After a straight set win though, Box halted the Big Sky's leader in wins right in her tracks in impressive fashion.

All that was left for the Lumberjacks to claim their second 7-0 conference win of the week was sophomore Sara Brown at No. 6 singles, where she stepped up to the plate. After spotting the Vikings' Alexa McDonald with the first set, Brown rallied for a three-set win, winning in a tiebreak in the third set, 4-6, 6-3, 11-9.

"Today was a lot of fun," Bruno said. "Doubles couldn't have been any closer coming down to a tiebreak at No. 1 but our girls stepped up and took care of it. I really believe that provided a big momentum shift and before Portland State tried to claw their way back into match, we were on top of them. That doubles win led us to the 7-0 victory today. I can't say how proud I am of the girls and the way they played even harder than yesterday and that's what we needed to do."

The 7-0 win, NAU's third of the season, improved its record to 11-9 this season and 7-2 in conference play, giving the squad a lot of momentum heading into the final week of the regular season with their ticket to the conference championships now in hand.

"We were so pumped and everything went right today," Spruch said. "This win, especially on Senior Day, showed us that we can beat everyone in the conference and we have so much confidence now. I hope we have extra confidence to get some wins on the road next week."

NAU plays at Montana State and Montana next Saturday and Sunday to conclude the regular season.

Results

Doubles

1. Johanna Vang/Marta Lewandowska (NAU) def. Siena Peri/Dane Vorster (PSU) 7-6 (3)
2. Sabina-Elena Preda/Tracy Dong (PSU) def. Hailey Rochin/Emelia Box (NAU) 6-3
3. Sarah Maria Spruch/Livia Hollosy (NAU) def. Kelsey Frey/Alexa McDonald (PSU) 6-0

Order of Finish: 3, 2, 1

Singles

1. Johanna Vang (NAU) def. Dane Vorster (PSU) 6-2, 6-1
2. Hailey Rochin (NAU) def. Siena Peri (PSU) 6-2, 6-3
3. Emelia Box (NAU) def. Tracy Dong (PSU) 6-4, 6-3
4. Jordan Denesik (NAU) def. Sabina-Elena Preda (SUU) 6-3, 6-3
5. Marta Lewandowska (NAU) def. Kelsey Frey (PSU) 6-2, 6-1
6. Sara Brown (NAU) def. Alexa McDonald (PSU) 4-6, 6-3, 11-9

Order of Finish: 1, 4, 2, 5, 3, 6