Oregon’s first trip to the NCAA tournament in 10 years came to an end on Saturday with a 4-2 loss to No. 30 N.C. State.
Despite the quick out, it was a special season for the Ducks, who were led by junior Alyssa Tobita, a 2014 Mililani graduate.
Tobita took her game to a new level this season and competed at No. 1 singles for the Ducks in the tournament, losing in three sets 3-6, 6-4, 6-4.
Tobita, who won her match at No. 2 doubles against the Wolfpack, helped Oregon finish 14-11 overall, which is UO’s best record since 2006. The Ducks’ 6-4 mark in Pac-12 play was their best finish since 2005.
Oregon also defeated both USC and UCLA for the first time in school history, and the victory over the Bruins came in the Pac-12 Championships as the Ducks advanced to the semifinals for the first time.
Tobita said after the loss to N.C. State that she hoped it didn’t take away from the season Oregon had.
“It really stings since we put ourselves in a great position to win,” Tobita said in a press release. “But, I don’t want the team to forget all the great things we did this year. I’m proud of what we’ve done and I’m excited to go after it for my last year next season.”
Tobita finished the year with a 17-6 record in doubles with sophomore Shweta Sangwan and 22-9 in doubles overall. She was 18-14 in singles matches.
Entering the postseason, Tobita was ranked No. 79 in singles and No. 83 in doubles with Sangwan by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association.
For her efforts, Tobita was named to the All-Pac-12 second team on Saturday. She was the only Oregon tennis player named to either the six-person first team or 10-person second team.
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