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VANCOUVER, Wash. — Junior Megan Govi gutted out a back-and-forth three set win over Eastern Washington's Katrina Domingo at No. 4 singles, and the Portland State women's tennis team weathered a comeback from Eagles to win 5-2 Sunday in the team's regular-season finale at Club Green Meadows.
 
The Vikings (9-6, 6-3 Big Sky) took a quick 3-0 lead in the match, only to see the Eagles (3-18, 1-9 Big Sky) draw back within one at 3-2. Domingo led Govi 3-0 in the third set of their match at No. 3 singles at the point, too, putting the Eagles on the verge of tying up the match at 3-3. However, Govi rallied to win five straight games off Domingo from there, and she closed out the match to clinch the dual for the Vikings.
 
"We totally expected this from Eastern Washington," PSU head coach Jay Sterling said. "Every time we play them they fight, so we expected this. We had opportunities to put them away in second sets at lines three and four, and we didn't. We played a little safe, and to their credit, they came back. It was scary there for a while, but our girls stepped up, and that's been the big growth of the team this year. Last year we had a lot of close, 3-4 losses, but this year they've had the confidence, belief and mental toughness to close those matches out, and that's what it came down today. It came down to heart and hustle."
 
Govi showcased the hustle for the team in her match against Domingo, which lasted over two and a half hours. Govi took the first set off Domingo, 6-0, but Domingo squared things with a 6-4 win in the second set. Domingo carried that momentum with her in taking the early 3-0 lead in the third set, as well, but that's where Govi took over, as she rallied to claim the 6-0, 4-6, 6-4 win.
 
"To be honest with you, Megan just had to weather the storm," Sterling said. "Towards the end of the second set and over the start of the third, Domingo was playing really well. Barely any unforced errors, really attacking the ball, but Megan stayed focused, didn't freak out, didn't stress out. She just weathered that storm, kept doing the things she need to do, and Domingo started to make some errors and Megan was there ready mentally to take advantage of those. That's a big growth for Megan, that's the sign of a champion."
 
Govi has now won the decisive fourth point in three of the Vikings' six Big Sky wins this season. Govi also won the decisive fourth points in the Vikings' 4-3 win over Weber State last Sunday, April 13, as well as the Vikings' 5-2 win over Southern Utah on March 14.
 
"I've been working on meditating, and it's really been helping me during clutch points in matches, being able to clear my mind and focus nothing on the present moment," Govi said. "I always heard that growing up, to focus on the present, but I feel like I'm beginning to grasp it more, and clear my mind better. I think that's the big difference."
 
Govi's teammates put her in position to close out the match Sunday, after the team took the doubles point with wins at No. 1 and 3 doubles, and took two quick singles wins at No. 2 and 5 singles. Govi and junior Dane Vorster beat EWU's Moira Hedberg and Erin Blessing 8-4 for the Vikings' win at No. 1 doubles, while junior Alexa McDonald and sophomore Ayaka Terakawa beat EWU's Brittany Ellingsen and Malieva Hedberg 8-5 at No. 3.
 
McDonald was then the first to win for the Vikings in singles, as she beat Malieva Hedberg 6-2, 6-1 at No. 5, and senior Marina Todd followed soon after with a 6-2, 6-0 win over EWU's Dani Young at No. 2.
 
The Eagles came back with wins at No. 1 and 3 singles, however, as Moira Hedberg beat Vorster 6-3, 6-2 at No. 1, while Blessing came back from a set down to beat freshman Sabina-Elena Preda 1-6, 6-3, 6-3 at No. 3.
 
Domingo nearly matched Blessing's comeback against Govi at No. 4, but Govi closed out that match for the Vikings, and sophomore Ayaka Terakawa followed with a 6-4, 6-3 win over Ellingsen, who was fighting through a shoulder injury over the latter part of their match.
 
Govi and Vorster's win in doubles gives them a record-sixth Big Sky doubles win this season, breaking the mark Govi and sophomore Kelsey Frey set last season at five.
 
Additionally, Todd's win at No. 2 singles came on her senior day, as she was honored before the match as the Vikings' lone senior.
 
"I was so excited to get the win today," Todd said. "This was my last home match on these courts and I just wanted to give it my all, and put everything out there for my team as they've done for me."
 
"Marina is a cornerstone of this program," Sterling said. "She is probably one of the most talented, athletic, fastest players I've had come through Portland State, and I'm so happy for her. What a way to finish out her career. Great career, ultimate team player, and she deserved to go out like that."
 
With the win Sunday, the Vikings finish the regular season with six Big Sky wins, double the team's previous record in a single season. The Vikings (9-6, 6-3 Big Sky) also wrapped up the fourth seed in next weekend's Big Sky Championships with the win, and will play either Northern Colorado or Montana State in the first round.
 
Check GoViks.com during the week for more information about the Vikings' berth into the Big Sky Championships. The tournament will run from April 25-27 in Sacramento, Calif.


Portland State 5, Eastern Washington 2
Apr 20, 2014 at Vancouver, Wash. (Club Green Meadows)

Singles competition

1. HEDBERG, Moira (EWUW) def. VORSTER, Dane (PSU) 6-3, 6-2

2. TODD, Marina (PSU) def. YOUNG, Dani (EWUW) 6-2, 6-0

3. BLESSING, Erin (EWUW) def. PREDA, Sabina-Elena (PSU) 1-6, 6-3, 6-3

4. GOVI, Megan (PSU) def. DOMINGO, Katrina (EWUW) 6-0, 4-6, 6-4

5. MCDONALD, Alexa (PSU) def. HEDBERG, Malieva (EWUW) 6-2, 6-1

6. TERAKAWA, Ayaka (PSU) def. ELLINGSEN, Brittany (EWUW) 6-4, 6-3

Doubles competition

1. VORSTER, Dane/GOVI, Megan (PSU) def. HEDBERG, Moira/BLESSING, Erin (EWUW) 8-4

2. YOUNG, Dani/DOMINGO, Katrina (EWUW) def. TODD, Marina/PREDA, Sabina-Elena (PSU) 8-6

3. MCDONALD, Alexa/TERAKAWA, Ayaka (PSU) def. ELLINGSEN, Brittany/HEDBERG, Malieva (EWUW) 8-5

Match Notes

Eastern Washington 3-18, 1-9 BSC

Portland State 9-6, 6-3 BSC

Order of finish: Doubles (1,3,2); Singles (5,2,1,3,4,6)