(Photo courtesy of Azusa Pacific Sports Information)

AZUSA, Calif.--Pacific West Conference power Azusa Pacific took down visiting Hawai`i Hilo 7-0 on Monday morning at the Munson & Bavougian Tennis Complex.

It was the opening match of a southern California trip for the Vulcans, who will take on Biola tomorrow morning. UHH fell to 2-5 on the season while the Cougars improved to 8-4.

The No. 14 nationally ranked Cougars won all six singles matches in straight sets and took the early doubles point as well.

Eleonora Liga led the way for the Cougars with a 6-0, 6-0 win on court one in singles. Liga is unbeaten on the season and has dropped only one set, that to a Cal State Fullerton player in a match that Liga won in three sets. 

Hikari Osaki provided UH Hilo's top highlight, pushing APU's Audrey Stewart deep in set one before eventually falling 7-5, 6-3 on court No. 4. In doubles, Julia Barden and Nanami Okamoto were in a battle on court two against Liga and Lilla Plasek before play was stopped in the clinch format, 5-4. 

The Vulcans will have another tough match on Tuesday, taking on No. 11 ranked Biola at 11:30 am Pacific time in La Mirada.

#14 Azusa Pacific 7, UH Hilo 0
Munson & Bavougian Tennis Complex, Azusa, Calif.

SINGLES
1. Nora Liga (APU) def. C. Alfonsin (UHH) 6-0, 6-0.
2. April Wong  (APU) def. J. Barden (UHH), 6-2, 6-0.
3. Carolyn Brooner (APU) def. N. Okamoto (UHH), 6-1, 6-2. 
4. Audrey Stewart (APU) def. H. Osaki (UHH), 7-5, 6-3.
5. Lilla Plasek (APU) vs. C. De Mattos (UHH), 6-3, 6-2.
6. Katherine Nguyen (APU) def. H. Highsmith (UHH), 6-1, 6-2.
Order of Finish: 1-2-3-6
 
DOUBLES
1. Brooner/Wong (APU) def. Alfonsin/Highsmith (UHH), 6-3.
2. Liga/Plasek (APU) vs. Barden/Okamoto (UHH), 5-4, UNF.
3. Kane/Stewart (APU) def. Osaki/A. Ichikawa (UHH), 6-2.
Order of Finish: 3-1
 
TEAM RECORDS
#14 Azusa Pacific 8-4, UH HIlo 2-5