FRESNO, Calif. — Fresno Pacific women's tennis delivered a standout performance at the ITA West Regional, hosted by the Sunbirds and featuring more than 200 student-athletes from 11 NCAA universities. FPU made its mark throughout the tournament, culminating in an all-Sunbird singles final as Fabiana Gonzalez captured the regional championship and Magdalena Nunez Pureco finished as runner-up.

"I'm so proud of how the entire team competed this weekend," mentioned Head Coach Sam Gaeddert. "Fabi and Lena showed a very high-level of tennis throughout the tournament, and the whole team really went above and beyond with their level of discipline and maturity."

DAY ONE
The Sunbirds opened the tournament with a strong showing in singles play, as six FPU players advanced past their first-round matches. Savannah Bijlsma made quick work of Menlo's Ombeline, winning 6-0, 6-0. Alice Kubler defeated Biola's Romano 6-4, 6-0, while Pureco earned a 6-1, 6-0 victory over Biola's Vaughn.

Gonzalez began what would become a championship run with a dominant 6-0, 6-0 win over Westmont. Halle Faherty also advanced with a 6-1, 6-3 victory against Dominican's Lee, while Yume Ueoku opened her tournament with a 6-2, 6-0 win over CUI's Gutierrez. Jessica McLean battled in her opening match against Stanislaus State but moved to the consolation bracket after falling.

FPU also found success in doubles. Gonzalez and Ueoku cruised past Westmont 8-1 and Colorado Mesa 8-0 to advance. Faherty and McLean earned an 8-2 win over Menlo before defeating CUI 8-5, while Pureco and Bijlsma swept past Point Loma 8-1 and Colorado Mesa 8-0. Alice Kubler and Jaden Patalinghug fell 8-2 in their opening match.

DAY TWO
FPU continued to advance in singles, with Kubler, Pureco, Gonzalez and Ueoku reaching the quarterfinals. In doubles, Gonzalez and Ueoku were the lone Sunbird pair to reach the semifinals after an 8-5 victory over Stanislaus State. Their run ended in the semifinals, but both players remained in contention in singles as the tournament moved toward its final rounds.

DAY THREE
The Sunbirds turned the singles draw into an all-FPU affair, with four players competing in the semifinals. Kubler and Pureco faced off in an all-Sunbird quarterfinal, with Pureco advancing after a 6-2, 6-2 victory. Pureco then defeated Breuer in the semifinals to secure her place in the championship match. On the other side of the draw, Gonzalez continued her dominant run, while doubles partner Ueoku also advanced. The two teammates found themselves on opposite sides of the net in the semifinals, with Gonzalez earning a 6-1, 6-4 victory to book her spot in the final.

DAY FOUR
Sunday's championship match featured two Sunbirds battling for the regional crown. Gonzalez came away with the victory over Pureco, securing the ITA West Regional singles title. In her first year with the 'Birds, fellow teammate Pureco was named regional runner-up. Gonzalez's championship run was especially impressive, as she did not drop a set throughout the tournament.

"Having four players in the Top eight and three in the Top four is a special thing. I'm excited to see Fabi and Lena compete nationally this November at the ITA Cup, and I'm excited to see what we can do this spring as a team!"

SUNBIRD SOCIAL 

• X - @fpusunbirds 
• Instagram - @fpusunbirds 
• Facebook - @FPUsunbirds 

#TeamFPU
 

---