Schwab began her personal five-match singles winning streak last Thursday with a tough three-set victory over Rilee Moorhead of Idaho State (6-2, 4-6, 6-0), followed by a straight-set win over Doris Berberic of Western New Mexico (6-0, 6-0). On Friday, she was a key player in Seattle U's 4-3 victory over conference foe North Dakota, first teaming with Corinne Wurden (Poulsbo, Wash.) to clinch the doubles point for the Redhawks, and then winning her singles match over Stephanie Petsis in straight sets (6-1, 6-4).
After winning in both singles and doubles Saturday against South Dakota, Schwab suffered a tough loss in doubles Sunday morning against San Jose State as the Spartans won the doubles point. At the number two singles position against Sabastiani Leon Chao, Schwab lost the first set, 7-5, and fell behind in the second set before rallying to tie the match with a 6-4 victory. With everyone on both teams now watching and the team score tied, 3-3, Schwab pulled out the third set, 6-3, to give the squad one of its biggest victories since the tennis program was reestablished in 2008.
"As the match (against Leon Chao) was going on, she said to me during one of the changeovers, 'I love the battle.' That statement to me is a testimony to what a great team player Katrina is and how much character she has as a person," head coach Mark Frisby said.
This is the first time a Seattle University women's tennis player has earned the weekly conference honor. The Seattle U women's tennis program became the seventh Redhawk squad to join the Great West Conference as an affiliate member last summer.
Schwab will lead the Seattle U women's tennis team into its final scheduled dual match of the regular season Friday, April 1, at Portland State beginning at 1 p.m. The Redhawks will then prepare for the Great West Conference Tournament, to be held in Chicago, Ill., April 30-May 1.