GOLD RIVER, Calif. – The Northern Arizona University women's tennis team will advance to the Big Sky Conference Tournament Championship tomorrow, May 1 after defeating Weber State 4-1 in the semifinals. The Lumberjacks have now reached the second highest season win total in program history at 18-7, giving Head Coach Kim Bruno her winningest season since arriving in 2006. Northern Arizona will face the winner of University of Idaho (No. 3) and Sacramento State (No. 2) in the finals at 10 a.m.

"Blanka [Szavay] was outstanding today," Head Coach Kim Bruno said. "She came out and played an immaculate doubles match with Hanneke [Lodewijks] and dominated in singles. She really led the team to this victory but everyone competed hard. I think we have to step it up another level for tomorrow because we know what we came here to do. It's right in front of us."

The Wildcats – who entered the tournament at the No. 4 seed – finish the 2016 campaign at 9-14. The Lumberjacks were too much to handle from the get-go as doubles pair Hanneke Lodewijks and Blanka Szavay took care of business at line one in a 6-1 decision. Jordan Denesik and Marta Lewandowska rounded out doubles action on court three with a final score of 6-3. Lodewijks/Szavay – ranked as high as No. 81 in the country this season – move to 14-4 overall.

In singles action, Szavay, Denesik and Granville shined on courts two, five and six respectively. Szavay was the first to finish on two as she handled Weber State's Kristi Elmer in straight sets 6-3, 6-1. Lodewijks dropped a tough one at No. 1 singles, but Denesik and Granville answered also winning in straight sets. Denesik remains undefeated on court five at 12-0 as she ousted Devi Hasan 7-5, 6-1. Granville, for the seventh time this season, clinched the match for the 'Jacks. She took down Morgan Dickason 6-3, 6-3 to give NAU its match-winning point.

Northern Arizona will await its matchup for tomorrow between Idaho and Sacramento State, who are set to play this afternoon (April 30). The Lumberjacks have beaten both teams this season; Idaho on February 5 with a final score of 4-3 and Sacramento State in Flagstaff on March 24 by the same score of 4-3. With a win in the championship, NAU will be one win shy of tying the program-best 20-win season in 1999 and reaching the NCAA Tournament for the first time in over 15 years.

Results

Doubles

1. Hanneke Lodewijks/Blanka Szavay (NAU) def. Kristi Elmer/Sara Parker (WSU) 6-1
2. Hailey Rochin/Eirene Granville (NAU) vs. Agata Bachanek/Devi Hasan (WSU) 3-4, unfinished
3. Jordan Denesik/Marta Lewandowska (NAU) def. Morgan Dickason/Dominique Beauvais (WSU) 6-3

Order of finish: 1, 3

Singles

1. Agata Bachanek (WSU) def. Hanneke Lodewijks (NAU) 6-4, 6-3
2. Blanka Szavay (NAU) def. Kristi Elmer (WSU) 6-3, 6-1
3. Marta Lewandowska (NAU) vs. Sara Parker (WSU) 4-6, 7-5, unfinished
4. Hailey Rochin (NAU) vs. Dominique Beauvais (WSU) 6-3, 4-6, unfinished
5. Jordan Denesik (NAU) def. Devi Hasan (WSU) 7-5, 6-1
6. Eirene Granville (NAU) def. Morgan Dickason (WSU) 6-3, 6-3

Order of finish: 2, 1, 5, 6