Holly Roberts, Kadaya Photography Services
WTEN4/24/2016 12:33 AM | By: Cal Athletics
Manasse, Hauger Net Pac-12 Finals' Berths
OJAI, Calif. – Maegan Manasse and Olivia Hauger look to bring home some Pac-12 Championship hardware for California for the first time in four years on Sunday at Libbey Park. Manasse, a junior ranked 11th, and Hauger, a freshman, both won Saturday semifinals to reach, respectively, the singles championship final and the singles invitational final on Sunday.
The No. 1 seed in the main draw, Manasse defeated USC's fourth-seeded and 28th-ranked Giuliana Olmos, 6-4, 6-0, in the semis. Hauger beat Stanford's Melissa Lord, 6-7(4), 6-4, 6-1, in her semi.
Hauger will take on Caroline Lampl, another Cardinal player, in Sunday's invitational final at 8 a.m.
In the championship final, Manasse will face UCLA's Catherine Harrison, the defending champ, at 10 a.m. Last year, Harrison defeated current Cal senior Klara Fabikova for the Conference crown. Fabikova likewise defeated Olmos in the 2015 semifinals.
Manasse is attempting to become only the third Golden Bear to capture the Pac-12 main draw singles championship. Zsuzsanna Fodor won it in 2006 and Raquel Kops-Jones took home the title in 2004.
The last time any Bear won a Pac-12 championship final was in 2011, when Cal greats Mari Andersson and Jana Juricova won the doubles title. The last time any Bear won an invitational final was in 2012, when Tayler Davis and Laura Posylkin captured the doubles title.
“We're very excited to have two Bears playing in championship matches at the Ojai,” Cal head coach Amanda Augustus said. “It's always an honor to be a part of Ojai history. Both Olivia and Maegan played well today. They had to compete hard, and they're both excited for the opportunity to play tomorrow at such a prestigious tournament.”
The Pac-12 Networks will broadcast the Manasse-Harrison championship, so please check local listings for times in your area.
Pac-12 Championships - Cal Results
April 23, 2016
Libbey Park
Singles Championship Draw
Semifinal Round
[1] No. 11 Maegan Manasse (Cal) def. No. 24 Giuliana Olmos (USC) – 6-4, 6-0
Singles Invitational Draw
Semifinal Round
Olivia Hauger (Cal) def. Melissa Lord (Stanford) – 6-7(4), 6-4, 6-1