OJAI, Calif. - No. 16 Stanford blanked No. 43 Washington 4-0 on Thursday afternoon, taking the first step to defending its title at the Pac-12 Championships.
One of the nation's hottest teams, Stanford (16-3, 9-0 Pac-12) extended its winning streak to 12 with a quick and convincing victory over Washington (16-11, 5-5 Pac-12). Thursday's win was also No. 999 in program history.
The Cardinal grabbed a 1-0 lead after doubles, coming up with identical 6-1 victories at the Nos. 2 and 3 spots to seize the point.
Emma Higuchi picked up her 10th straight win, cruising past Angela Li 6-2, 6-1 at the No. 6 spot to make it 2-0.
Melissa Lord increased Stanford's lead to 3-0 with a 6-1, 6-1 triumph on court two.
Caroline Lampl then provided her first clincher of the season, converting a 6-4, 6-3 win at the No. 3 position.
Stanford next faces No. 48 Washington State (20-6, 5-5 Pac-12) on Friday in the semifinals at 1 p.m.
The Cardinal is seeking a third straight conference title overall, a milestone the Cardinal last accomplished in 2010-12.
No. 16 Stanford 4, No. 43 Washington 0
DOUBLES
1) No. 2 Arbuthnott/Gordon led No. 28 Kobayashi/Wong (WASH) 4-3, unfinished
2) No. 78 Lampl/Kimberly Yee (STAN) d. Fung/Kopcalic (WASH) 6-1
3) Lord/Shin (STAN) d. Li/Prokopuik (WASH) 6-1
Order of Finish: 3, 2
SINGLES
1) No. 16 Michaela Gordon (STAN) led No. 15 Stacey Fung (WASH) 7-5, 1-2, unfinished
2) No. 68 Melissa Lord (STAN) d. No. 50 Vanessa Wong (WASH) 6-1, 6-1
3) No. 94 Caroline Lampl (STAN) d. Miki Kobayashi (WASH) 6-4, 6-3
4) No. 51 Emily Arbuthnott (STAN) led Alexis Prokopuik (WASH) 1-6, 6-2, 1-0, unfinished
5) No. 95 Janice Shin (STAN) d. Katarina Kopcalic (WASH) 6-2, 5-4, unfinished
6) No. 109 Emma Higuchi (STAN) d. Angela Li (WASH) 6-2, 6-1
Order of Finish: 6, 2, 3