Venus Williams lifted undefeated Washington to the World TeamTennis final Saturday, beating former Capital Ashley Harkleroad in the evening's last set to secure the Kastles' 19-15 victory over the New York Sportimes in Charleston, S.C.
The teams were tied 14-14 entering the set, and Williams' 5-1 victory over Harkleroad kept the Eastern Conference champion Kastles' winning streak intact.
The Kastles, 15-0 on the season and winners of 31 straight WTT matches, face the Capitals (8-7) today for the championship. Sacramento beat the Orange County Breakers 25-15 Friday in the Western Conference final.
"I have never played in a final after playing World TeamTennis for the past 12 years. This was huge for me," said Williams, a five-time Wimbledon singles champion. .
Williams lost her serve in the first game of the final set, giving the Sportimes their first lead of the night at 15-14. But Williams won the next five games, breaking Harkleroad at love in the last one, to put the Kastles into the championship match.
– Associated Press
General
• The No. 12 UC Davis men's water polo team bounced back from an 11-4 loss to No. 5 UC Santa Barbara by taking a 5-3 Western Water Polo Association victory from No. 14 Santa Clara on the first day of the NorCal Invitational at Stanford, UCD reported.
The Aggies moved to 5-2 overall and 5-0 in the WWPA.
UCD's Bernie Rogers scored twice against the Gauchos, and teammate Chris Richardson had two goals against the Broncos.
• Katie Quinn and Victoria Lee combined for 22 kills and .513 hitting, but the UC Davis women's volleyball team (6-7) lost to Southeast Missouri 25-22, 25-21, 27-25 at the Butler Invitational in Indianapolis' historic Hinkle Fieldhouse, UCD reported.
The Aggies open Big West Conference play against Pacific next Saturday at 7 p.m. at the Pavilion.
– Bee Sports staff
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