BERKELEY, Calif. -- Pepperdine made its mark in program history, winning its record-setting 15th dual match in a row to advance to the second round of the NCAA championship. The Waves defeated LSU by a score of 4-1 on the courts of the Hellman Tennis Complex.
Pepperdine, now 19-4 overall in 2014, has not lost a dual since the month of February. The previous program record was set in 1999 when the Waves were victorious in 14 consecutive matches.
Michaela Capannolo and Yuki Chiang got the Waves’ NCAA tournament run off on perhaps a perfect note, blanking Abigail Owens and Gabrielle Otero 8-0.
Although the Tigers claimed victory at No. 3, Lorraine Guillermo and Apichaya Runglerdkriangkrai stepped up to provide the clincher at No. 1.
After exchanging games with Joana Vale Costa and Noel Scott, Guillermo and Runglerdkriangkrai broke serve at a crucial moment in the match to take a 7-5 lead. Runglerdkriangkrai then served out the match successfully to secure the 1-0 lead heading into singles.
As has been the case nearly all season long, Pepperdine separated themselves in singles by putting its depth on display. The Waves won the first sets on four of the six courts, with their two losses being decided by two games or less.
Ale Granillo marched off the court first, putting away a decisive 6-2, 6-1 decision against Owens.
Chiang extended Pepperdine’s lead to 3-0 after topping Skyler Holloway 7-5, 6-2.
Although LSU got on the board with a win at No. 6, Matea Cutura completed her match just moments later to lift the Waves out of reach, 4-1. Cutura defeated Scott in straight sets 6-3, 6-3.
Next up, Pepperdine will play California on Saturday.
