Fresno State
ITA All-American Main Draw
Sainz, Winterhalter Fall at ITA National Final
10/9/2005 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
Oct. 9, 2005
FRESNO, Calif. - Seniors Lucia Sainz and Katharina Winterhalter lost in an amazing match to Catrina and Christian Thompson of Notre Dame in the final of the ITA All-American doubles championships. Notre Dame, ranked No. 2 in the nation, beat the Bulldogs 9-8 (7) for the first national championship of the 2005-06 tennis season. It was the first appearance by any Fresno State doubles team in a national championship.
The Bulldogs were down 6-7 late in the match, but rallied to take an 8-7 lead. Notre Dame then tied the score at eight to send the match into tiebreakers. Tiebreakers reached 7-7, before the Irish won 9-7.
"It's a really tough loss, especially because they were so close to winning," said head coach Simon Thibodeau. "But they're proud, and there will be other national championship tournaments this season."
Sainz and Winterhalter had won six consecutive matches before losing to Notre Dame. The Bulldogs knocked off three doubles teams in the top 11, and four in the top 16 during their improbable run at the title.
No. 41 Sainz/Winterhalter at ITA All-American Championships
W, vs. No. 20 Bertrand/Fish (Vanderbilt)
W, vs. No. 37 Marin/Gantcheva (UNLV)
W, 8-4 vs. No. 16 Long/Anundsen (North Carolina)
W, 9-7 vs. No. 8 Magley/Srebovic (Florida)
W, 8-6 vs. No. 11 Bercek/Robinson (Duke)
W, 8-6 vs. No. 1 Basu/Robinson (Georgia)
L, 9-8 (7) vs. No. 2 Thompson/Thompson (Notre Dame)
