LA MIRADA, Calif. – Lewis-Clark State senior Dorothy Chong powered her way into the women’s singles final at the ITA West Regionals on Saturday, but was defeated in three sets in the championship match.

Chong blistered Westmont’s Grace Davis 6-0, 6-0 in the semifinal in what Warrior coach Kai Fong called her best match of the tournament.

Chong dropped the first set of the final against Concordia’s Elizaveta Ignatova 7-5, but battled back to win the second set 6-4.

Ignatova prevailed in the third and final set to win the tournament.

“She had the strategy to defuse the power of her opponent, but unfortunately the warmer temperature and fatigue became a factor,” Fong said. “Her tank was empty in the third set. That’s the price of success as one to advances to the finals of both events.”

Chong and Livia Blasque took the court an hour after the singles final to face top-seeded Nikki Yvanovich and Tara Nekrang of Westmont for the doubles crown.

Westmont got out to a 7-3 lead in the single pro-set format, but the Warriors rallied back to make it 7-5 before ultimately bowing out.

It was nonetheless a historic weekend for the LCSC tennis program, as it was the first time Warriors played for both finals since 2003 (Pei Yuin Keng).

“We knew going in that it would be a survival of the fittest on the last day,” Fong said. “All of our players gained a wealth of experience on the trip learning to adjust to adversity and challenges.”