OJAI, CA – On “Championship Sunday,” Sunbird juniors Katia Sabate and Vanessa Heroux captured the doubles championship at the 109th Ojai Tournament in Libbey Park.
After falling behind a set and within a game of elimination at 3-5 in the 2nd set to Point Loma’s Rachel Owens and Kristin Strimple, Heroux and Sabate rallied 3-6, 7-6 (2), (10-6) for the doubles title.
Although the 6th-seeded Owens and Strimple never held a match point, the momentum of the match was clearly in their favor as they dominated Heroux and Sabate with deft volleys and precise passing shots.
However, Heroux and Sabate proved worthy of top billing in the tournament to finally overcome an inspired Point Loma doubles team.
Lobs and passing shots that were either missing their mark or handled by Owens and Strimple, did not hold up late in the match as Sabate and Heroux forced a second set tiebreaker which they won easily 7-2.
At 6-6 in the deciding 10-point match tiebreaker, Heroux and Sabate reeled off four straight points for the championship.
Earlier in the day, the top seeded Sabate was defeated in the singles championship to No. 2 seed Jennifer Sher (Concordia), 6-3, 6-0.
Fresno Pacific won the overall team event for the fourth year in a row. Concordia finished runner-up.
The Sunbirds return to GSAC action against Westmont at the Haak Tennis Center on Tuesday, April 28th. The match is scheduled for 2:00pm.
April 26, 2009
Libbey Park
Ojai, CA
The Ojai - Women’s Independent College Event
Singles – Championship
(2) Jennifer Sher (Concordia) def. (1) Katia Sabate (FPU) 6-3, 6-0
Doubles – Championship
Vanessa Heroux/Katia Sabate (FPU) def. (6) Rachel Owens/Kristin Strimple (Point Loma) 3-6, 7-6 (2), (10-6)