INDIAN WELLS, Calif. – Second-seeded UC Santa Barbara defeated third-seeded Long Beach State in the semifinals of the 2017 Big West Tournament at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden today.

Long Beach State won the first point of the doubles match as Lena Pacholski and Laura Eales defeated Amanda Atanasson and Melissa Baker 6-3 at No.2. However, Gauchos (16-9) fought back as No.1 Palina Dubavets and Stefani Stojic defeated Maeva Razakasoa and Julie Gerad 6-2. The tandem of Stephanie Yamada and Natalie Da Silveira posted a 6-4 win over Maren Helgo and Natalia Munoz, giving UCSB the 1-0 lead in the match.

Gauchos carried their momentum as Stojic defeated Helgo 6-1, 6-4 at No.4. Long Beach took the next point as Gilbertson fell to Pacholski 6-2, 6-4 at No.3. Next, No.2 Da Silveira defeated Gerad 6-4, 7-5. Dubavets finished the match with a win against Razakasoa 6-4, 4-6, 6-1 at No.1.

UCSB has won nine straight and its last loss was to first-seeded Hawaii, who it will meet for the title on April 30 at 9:00 a.m. Gauchos had played Hawaii for the championship last year and took the 2016 Big West Conference title.

UC Santa Barbara 4, Long Beach 1

Indian Wells, California

Indian Wells Tennis Garden

April 29 2017

Doubles (Order to finish: 2, 1, 3)

1. Palina Dubavets/ Stefani Stojic def. Maeva Razakasoa/ Julie Gerad 6-2

2. Lena Pacholski/ Laura Eales def. Amanda Atanasson/ Melissa Baker 6-3

3. Stephanie Yamada/ Natalie Da Silveira def. Maren Helgo/ Natalia Munoz 6-4

Singles (Order to finish: 4, 3, 2, 1)

1. Palina Dubavets def. Maeva Razakasoa 6-4, 4-6, 6-1

2. Natalie Da Silveira def. Julie Gerad 6-4, 7-5

3. Lena Pacholski def. Jaimee Gilbertson 6-2, 6-4

4. Stefani Stojic def. Maren Helgo 6-1, 6-4

5. Amanda Atanasson vs. Natalia Munoz 3-6, 6-4, 5-3 (unfinished)

6. Stephanie Yamada vs. Laura Eales 6-4, 2-6, 5-4 (unfinished)