Michele Haugen with a back hand in her victory against Dillan Chiewpanich of Carmel

– By Jon Charron

“Even in defeat, this the best they have played as a team and individually,” Pacific Grove head coach Elin Dolowich said about her team after they fell to the three time defending league champions Carmel on Tuesday afternoon. [09-22-15]

While none of the Breakers matches went more than two sets, they showed they have been improving every week.

The #1 singles match, featured Savana McDowell of Pacific Grove and Emma Suezaki of Carmel. McDowell, who was undefeated through her first three matches of the season, lost in a tough battle to Suezaki, 6-1, 6-4.

Savana McDowell of PG serves in her match against Emma Suezaki of Carmel

Picking up the Breakers only victory of the day, was #2 singles player Michele Haugen. Haugen grinded out a tough 6-2, 7-5 victory over Dillan Chiewpanich. After falling behind 4-2 in the second set, Haugen battled back and took the next three points, to take a 5-4 lead. Chiewpanich’s tough serves kept her in it as she tied it back up at 5-5. In the end though, Haugen would prevail and close it out.

“It was huge,” Dolowich said about Haugen’s second straight victory. “She’s super consistent and a rock solid #2. She just fights to the last point and I love that about her.”

The Breakers have been getting better all season, and Dolowich had a positive outlook on the future of their season. “I am feeling really good,” she said. “I think we’ve come a long way. We got some work to do, but were fighting the best in the area and I feel that is a great thing for our young players.”

Results

#1 Singles – Suezaki, E. CHS, def. McDowell, S. PGHS, 6-1, 6-4.

#2 Singles – Haugen, M. PGHS, def. Chiewpanich, D. CHS, 6-2, 7-5.

#3 Singles – Apfel, E. CHS, def. PGHS, default

#1 Doubles – Haase, T./Tracy, L. CHS, def. Momberger, E./Leivenberg, M. PGHS, 6-4, 6-1.

#2 Doubles – Donaldson, D./MacDonald, K. CHS, def. Kiely, M./Sands, R. PGHS, 6-1, 6-1.

#3 Doubles – Allen, I./Trapin, S. CHS, def. PGHS, default

They will look to continue their tough play against Santa Catalina at home, on September 29, 2015 at 3:30 p.m.

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