BOCA RATON - Sonya Haggstrom and Dominique Rothlander set the tone early for Valdosta State, and at the end of the match, it was the same two players who provided the finishing touch. Each played brilliantly in giving the Blazers three of their five points in a 5-0 win that eliminated Florida Southern from the NCAA South Region Tournament.
Both teams earned a first-round bye in the tournament and came in well-rested, but Haggstrom and Rothlander made sure the Blazers were in control right from the start. The pair teamed up for an 8-0 win at #3 doubles before their teammates added two more points to give Valdosta State a 3-0 lead.
In singles play, Haggstrom and Rothlander were just as impressive at the bottom of the VSU lineup, as Haggstrom defeated Amanda Carns, 6-0, 6-0 at the #6 position, and Rothlander took down Nora Baertschi, 6-1, 6-1 at #5. That kept the other four singles matches from being completed, though Senka Softic and Veronika Kovacikova had alreadt won the first set and were each leading in the second.
It was especially tough for Softic, the only senior on the team, and a soon-to-be 4-time All-American. Friday's result prevented her from taking sole possession of Florida Southern's career record for singles victories, leaving her tied with Kim Smith who played for the Mocs from 1983-86. Both players won 72 singles matches, though all of Softic's came at the top flight. It was the second straight match that Softic had won the first set and was leading in the second before leaving it unfinished when the team score was decided early.
With help from freshman Agnese Rozite, Softic almost earned another record for the Moccasins, but they were unable to win a tie-breaker at #1 doubles, and dropped a 9-7 decision to Natali Gumbrecht and Hollie Bees. Softic ended her career with 65 doubles wins, one shy of the mark set by Betsy Broadwater from 1982-85.
The win sent Valdosta State (13-4) into the region final where the 5th-ranked Blazers will face 4th-ranked Lynn on Saturday. The winner advances to the NCAA Division II National Tournament in Altamonte Springs, May 12-15.
Florida Southern finishes it season with a record of 17-5, and ranked #13 in the country. It's the seventh straight year the Moccasins will finish in the national top 20 poll.
