FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. -- Sophomores Reese Walker and Elena Mercioiu each claimed points with singles wins on the day, but it wasn't enough to upend host Northern Arizona, which clinched at least a share of the Big Sky Conference regular season title with a 5-2 victory over Sacramento State in a battle of league unbeatens on Saturday morning in Flagstaff, Ariz.

The loss snapped the Hornets' eight-match winning streak, dropping them to 15-3 overall and 5-1 in Big Sky play with two regular season conference matches remaining. The Lumberjacks improved to 13-3 overall and 7-0 in league play, winning their 10th consecutive match overall.

NAU opened with wins at the No. 3 and No. 2 doubles spots to take a 1-0 lead in the match, then claimed three of the first four singles matches on the day to officially clinch the dual. Walker was a straight-set victor over Laura Duhl, 6-3, 6-1, at the No. 3 spot, while Mercioiu defeated Leontina Stojanovic, 3-6, 7-6 (6), 1-0 (10-2), to post Sacramento State's lone points on the day.

Mercioiu improved to 14-2 overall and 6-0 in Big Sky play with her victory, while Walker won her 11th match of the season and also improved to 6-0 in league matches.

Sacramento State closes out its week on Monday (April 7) at 10 a.m., playing its final road match of the year at Portland State. The Hornets then host their final three duals of the regular season, welcoming Grand Canyon on April 12, UC Davis on April 18, and Big Sky rival Idaho on April 19, before traveling to Phoenix, Ariz., for the 2025 Big Sky Championships.