WREN TO THE WRESCUE
3/23/2009 7:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
AZUSA, Calif. --- As the lone senior in the entire California Baptist University tennis program, Dunya Wren has seen it all. Monday afternoon against the NAIA's No. 3-ranked Azusa Pacific, she did it all.
With the match tied 4-4, Wren was down a set and down 3-0 at No. 5 singles to Leah Hoffee. However, showing the guts, guile, determination and leadership of someone who's seen it all, Wren reeled off nine straight games and never looked back to steal a 4-6, 6-3, 7-5 win and give the No. 6 Lancers a stunning 5-4 upset of the Cougars.
“What moved me today was watching my senior at her finest,” said CBU Head Coach Chris Taylor. “The girl simply refused to lose today.”
Just three games from defeat, Wren, who has won more matches than any other player in program history, not only came back to win the second set but took a 3-0 lead in the third. Hoffee battled back, but it was too little to late as Wren closed out the match, giving the Lancers their first-ever win over national-power Azusa Pacific. She won her 51st career match and her 12th in a row.
The win moves the Lancers to 9-6 overall, 6-4 GSAC. The Cougars fall to 9-6, 8-3.
“Dunya worked harder today than I have ever seen her,” said Taylor. “She stayed focused, kept to our game plan, even when she was down, and she deserved to win today. This is her team, and she stepped up huge today and led her team to the win.”
The Cougars took a 2-1 lead after doubles with the Lancers picking up their only point at No. 1 when the Cougars' Sheryl Bon was forced to retire after spraining her ankle.
Jelena Savic tied the match up at No. 3 with a 6-3, 6-2 win over Emily Ignas, and the team's split the next two matches with the Cougars' Marie Tanaka beating Aurelie Hascoet 6-2, 6-3 at No. 4, and CBU's Marcela Montanha winning 6-2, 6-4 over Natalie McNall at No. 2.
Raquel Vescovi battled back from a 1-0 deficit to knock off Casey Wetzign 4-6, 6-2, 6-0, at No. 1 to bring the Lancers within one point of clinching the match, but Jessa Lau narrowly edged out Jessica Roddy 7-5, 6-3 at No. 6 setting the stage for Wren's heroics.
“I am not going to candy-coat it, we were simply awful in doubles,” said Taylor, “but the girls showed some great resilience in singles. Everyone knew their job and made it a point to step up and take care of business. I am especially proud of Raquel for battling back after a tough first set.”
Players Mentioned
