RESULTS (PDF)

SPOKANE, Wash. — Sophomore newcomer Alli Valk bookended a strong opening tournament of her Portland State career with a pair of wins Sunday, the final day of the Bulldog Invite, hosted by Gonzaga University.
 
Valk beat Seattle's Hannah Gianan in the third-place match of the Blue Singles Draw, winning in straight sets, 6-4, 6-3. Valk advanced to the semifinals of the draw with a three-set win over Eastern Washington's Stephanie Broussard Friday, and nearly made it to the final of the draw but fell in a three-set match in the semifinals Saturday.

"It was great to see Alli complete her match in straight sets today and finish in third place in a very competitive draw," head coach Jay Sterling said. "She got better and better in each match, finding her legs and her game. She should be motivated with her good start to the fall season."
 
Valk and Gerda Upeniece also won a bonus doubles match against Eastern Washington's Jennifer Lewis and Moriah Austin, winning 6-4. Valk and Upeniece also faced off against Eastern Washington's Rachel Swindell and Marta Heinen later in the day, but lost that match, 6-3.
 
Redshirt sophomore Brianna Thompson and Eszter Zador faced off against another Eastern Washington team in the consolation final of the Bulldog Doubles Draw Sunday. Thompson and Zador squared off against the Eagles' Faye Worrall and Zoey Nelson, but Worrall and Nelson prevailed, 6-3.
 
Zador also played in the consolation final of the Blue Singles Draw Sunday, facing off against Domonique Garley of host Gonzaga. Garley ran out to an early lead with a 6-1 win in the first set, but Zador bounce back to challenge Garley in the second set. Garley pulled out the second set, 7-5, however, giving her the 6-1, 7-5 win.

"What impressed me the most [at this tournament] was the heart and competitive spirit with which our players played each of their matches," Sterling said. "Every point, every game, every match, regardless of the score, they ran down every ball, fought for every point and competed.

"I think the team is motivated by their play over the weekend. We had good tough matches against good tough competition, which is exactly what we need in the fall."
 
The Vikings will return to competition next weekend at the Beach Tennis Tournament in Long Beach, Calif., Oct. 6-8.