Moore Clinches NAU's Senior Day Victory Against Grand Canyon

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (April 23, 2021) – As the Lumberjacks closed in on clinching Friday afternoon's match on three different courts, fate seemingly stepped in to assure Madi Moore of the clinching match on her Senior Day.

With Grand Canyon's No. 3 retiring and Ava Neyestani already victorious at No. 4, the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks stood just one match away from completing a perfect run through their home schedule. Already holding a 7-5 victory in her first set, Moore wrapped up the day at No. 6 with a 6-2 second-set victory as NAU closed out its regular season with a sixth straight victory.

"It was, I guess, the dream way for her to finish her regular season career and clinch for the team," said NAU head coach Ewa Bogusz. "She's been with us for four years and I'm just so happy to see her excel today and give us a team win."

Moore shared Senior Day with Ellie Millard, her teammate of four seasons and more importantly one of her closest friends. While Millard will return for one last season next year, granted an additional year of eligibility following the NCAA's ruling last October, the two wanted to celebrate together. 

"It was so nice, she is obviously one of my best friends and we have been through all four years together," Moore said. "That was amazing to have senior day with her."

Senior Day kicked off with a dominant performance for both seniors, along with their respective doubles partners, as NAU took a 1-0 lead thanks to a pair of 6-2 victories at No. 1 and No. 3. Millard and Mimi Bland just edged Moore and Neyestani with the first finish of the day on Court 1.

Just a few minutes later, the No. 3 match came to a close with an identical 6-2 score as Moore earned her first clinch of the afternoon alongside Neyestani.

Moving into singles play, the Lumberjacks (12-4) took five first-set victories from the Lopes (10-8), who entered the day on their own nine-match win streak. Though Bland and Gina Dittmann dropped their second sets, Neyestani swept through Autum Prudhomme 6-1, 6-4 for NAU's first singles victory of the day and a 2-0 advantage.

Bland's third set quickly moved to a 4-0 advantage for the sophomore, while Elinor Beazley's second set reached 5-4 following a 6-3 opening set win. Needing just two victories before the match would conclude, Moore appeared to be in position for NAU's third win rather than the deciding fourth.

However, after Bland's opponent Joely Lomas retired in the third set to give the Lumberjacks a 3-0 lead, Moore narrowly edged Beazley for the fourth and final point against Aline Buhr as the Lumberjacks made their way to the seniors court to celebrate.

Already locked into the Big Sky Conference South Division's No. 1 spot thanks to their perfect 3-0 record this season, NAU's match with Grand Canyon simply stood as a tuneup ahead of the trip to Phoenix next week.

The Lopes, the Western Athletic Conference's top seed thanks to a 6-0 conference record, offered the Lumberjacks a challenge on the court in addition to the opportunity to play outside in the sun and wind for the first time at home this season. 

"It was really important," Moore said of getting one last regular season victory. "This team is really tough and we wanted this win to prepare ourselves for next weekend."

NAU faces Portland State (9-10) next Saturday at 8 a.m. at the Phoenix Tennis Center in the semifinals of the Big Sky's tournament. The winner will advance to Sunday's championship match at 8 a.m. The Vikings swept the Seattle Redhawks (0-15) 7-0 on Friday to close out their regular season. 

Fans are invited to attend the conference tournament in Phoenix, but will be required to wear a mask while they are at the facility.

Match Results:
Doubles:

1. Ellie Millard/Mimi Bland (NAU) def. Natasha Puehse/Jana Weiss (GCU) 6-2
2. Emilia Occhipinti/Autum Prudhomme (GCU) def. Elinor Beazley/Gina Dittmann (NAU) 7-6 (9-7)
3. Madi Moore/Ava Neyestani (NAU) def. Joely Lomas/Taylor Andersen (GCU) 6-2*

*Clinched Doubles Point | Order of Finish: (1, 3, 2)
 
Singles:

1. Gina Dittmann (NAU) def. Natasha Puehse (GCU) 6-2, 4-6 unfinished
2. Ellie Millard (NAU) def. Emilia Occhipinti (GCU) 2-6, 1-4 unfinished
3. Mimi Bland (NAU) def. Joely Lomas (GCU) 6-2, 2-6, 4-0 win by retirement
4. Ava Neyestani (NAU) def. Autum Prudhomme (GCU) 6-1, 6-4
5. Elinor Beazley (NAU) def. Taylor Andersen (GCU) 6-3, 5-4 unfinished
6. Madi Moore (NAU) def. Aline Buhr (GCU) 7-5, 6-2**

**Clinched Match | Order of Finish: (4, 3, 6)