Courtesy: Stanford Athletics
OJAI, Calif. - Six days ago, Billy Griffith outlasted Nolan Paige in a three-setter to snap Stanford's 10-match winning streak and spoil Senior Day.
Paige returned the favor on Friday afternoon when the stakes were raised, clinching No. 26 Stanford's 4-1 victory over No. 25 California in the semifinals of the Pac-12 Championships.
Advancing to the tournament final for the first time in school history, Stanford (17-5, 6-1 Pac-12) will face the winner of No. 8 USC/No. 15 UCLA on Saturday at 5 p.m. PT. The Cardinal, which clinched a share of the conference regular-season title for the first time since 2010, split the season series with both the Trojans and Bruins.
Paige's 2-6, 7-6 (3), 7-5 victory secured the Cardinal's semifinal victory on Friday, representing its second win in three attempts against California (18-8, 5-2 Pac-12) this season.
The winner of Saturday's championship game receives the Pac-12's automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament. Stanford, UCLA and USC are all but assured of a postseason berth, but another victory would be helpful for seeding purposes.
Stanford captured the doubles point for a 12th consecutive match, taking an early 1-0 lead.
David Hsu made it 2-0 following a 6-1, 6-3 victory over Mads Engsted at the No. 6 spot.
After California trimmed the deficit to 2-1 with a win on court four, John Morrissey posted a 3-6, 6-2, 6-3 triumph over Filip Bergevi at the No. 2 position.
Paige then followed with the clincher.
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No. 26 Stanford 4, No. 25 California 1
DOUBLES
1) No. 13 Morrissey/Stineman (STAN) d. No. 49 Bayane/Chase Melton (CAL) 8-1
2) No. 83 Fawcett/Romanowicz (STAN) d. Bergevi/Engsted (CAL) 8-7
3) No. 86 Goransson/Wikberg (CAL) d. Wilczynski/Paige (STAN) 8-6
Order of Finish: 1, 3, 2
SINGLES
1) No. 30 Tom Fawcett (STAN) vs. No. 29 Andre Goransson (CAL) abandoned
2) No. 69 John Morrissey (STAN) d. No. 99 Filip Bergevi (CAL) 3-6, 6-2, 6-3
3) David Wilczynski (STAN) vs. Gregory Bayane (CAL) abandoned
4) Oskar Wikberg (CAL) d. Robert Stineman (STAN) 6-4, 6-3
5) Nolan Paige (STAN) d. Billy Griffith (CAL) 2-6, 7-6(3), 7-5
6) David Hsu (STAN) d. Mads Engsted (CAL) 6-1, 6-3
Order of Finish: 6, 4, 2, 5