May 22, 1999
GAINESVILLE, Fla. - Second seeded Stanford earned a shot at its fourth NCAA title in the '90s with a 5-1 victory over fellow Pac-10 foe California Saturday afternoon in the semifinal match at the University of Florida. The Cardinal (28-2) will take on the top-ranked, host Gators (30-1) in the championship contest Sunday, May 23 at 1 p.m. on the Stadium Courts.
Stanford took a 3-0 lead with two-set victories at Nos. 1, 3 and 5 singles, but fell at No. 4 singles. The Bears (20-5) Karoline Borgersen, ranked 64th nationally, captured Cals sole victory 6-0, 2-6, 6-4 in the No. 6 spot. The Cardinals Gabriela Lastra, ranked 52nd nationally, brought Stanford within one as she came back from a 3-6 loss to upset 35th-ranked Amy Jensen 6-1, 7-5.
Stanford clinched the win with a 3-6, 7-6(5), 6-4 victory at No. 4 singles. The Cardinals Jennifer Heiser, ranked 65th nationally, held off Claire Curran (No. 98) in a three hour and 15-minute battle. Despite the loss, Cal finished with the most season wins since the 1989-90 team went 24-7.
The Cardinal has claimed two of its nine NCAA team crowns in Gainesville, Fla., (1989 and 90). UF has also won three championships in this decade (1992, 96, '98/Stanford 1990, 91, 97). The teams last met at the National Team Indoors Feb. 20, 1999, with the Gators posting a 5-4 win. Stanford is 4-1 all-time against UF in the NCAA finals.
Stanford 5, California 1
Singles
No. 1 Marissa Irvin, SU d. Amanda Augustus, Cal 6-2, 6-4 No. 2 Gabriela Lastra, SU d. Amy Jensen, Cal 3-6, 6-1, 7-5 No. 3 Lauren Kalvaria, SU d. Anita Kurimay, Cal 6-3, 6-0 No. 4 Jennifer Heiser, SU d. Claire Curran, Cal 3-6, 7-6 (5), 6-4 No. 5 Keiko Tokuda, SU d. Francesca La'O, Cal 6-1, 6-3 No. 6 Karoline Borgersen, Cal d. Sarah Pestieau, SU 6-0, 2-6, 6-4Doubles
Did not play