Dean Reaches Consolation Final at Ojai Tourney with Win in Consolation Semis

By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

OJAI, Calif. -- Willamette University's Sarah Dean (So., Boise, ID/Timberline HS) won her match in the consolation semifinals against Isabelle Brown from the University of California, Santa Cruz to advance into the consolation final of the Women's Division III Invitational Singles bracket at the prestigious Ojai Tennis Tournament on Saturday, April 27. Kayla Manz from UC Santa Cruz defeated Dean in the consolation final.

Dean outlasted Brown in the consolation semifinal as the pair played two competitive sets. Dean won the first set in a tie-breaker, 7-6 (7-4), and then took the second set,  6-4.

"Sarah played one of the best matches I have seen her play in the semifinal today," Willamette Head Coach Bryce Parmelly said. "It was an absolutely huge win for her. Sarah's opponent in the final played very smart, and I have to give credit where credit is due. Overall, it was a fantastic event."

In the consolation final, Manz held off Dean in the first set, 6-3. Manz won the consolation title by defeating Dean in the second set, 6-1.

Dean opened the tournament with a loss, but rallied in the consolation bracket with a win over JoAnn Taylor of California Lutheran University in the first round, 6-2, 6-7 (5-7), 10-8, and a victory over Vivian Lee from UC Santa Cruz in the quarterfinals, 4-6, 7-6 (7-5), 10-2, before Saturday's two matches.