The stage was set for two long-time Big West rivals looking for two things: to capture a Big West Championship and to end the other teams’ pursuit of the trophy.
The Barnes Tennis Center in San Diego would be the site where dreams would come true for either No. 2 seed Cal Poly (19-5, 9-3 Big West) or No. 1-seeded UC Santa Barbara (18-13, 12-0 Big West).
Coming into this matchup just over a week ago, the Mustangs and Gauchos squared off in one of the biggest matches all year at the Arnhold Tennis Complex in Santa Barbara, celebrating the Gauchos’ senior day and a clash for the Big West Regular Season title.
UC Santa Barbara prevailed 4-0 on their home courts.
The Gauchos came into the championship match riding a 12-match win streak and also touting a national ranking of No. 32.
On a neutral court, the Mustangs eyed revenge and a chance to capture back-to-back Big West Championships.
The emotion of revenge soon began to fade as the final matches were closing up, reverting to gloominess as UC Santa Barbara stormed the court, taking a 4-2 victory en route to the Big West throne.
The Mustangs huddled up once more after taking the court together, sharing a final moment from their illustrious 2025 season.
“Heart is the perfect word to embody this team, and that’s why this stings so much,” Head Coach Ellie Edles Williams said. “I’m incredibly proud of how we competed and who we are as a program and family.”
Cal Poly finishes the season with a 19-5 record, the second most since 2003, where they eclipsed the 20-win mark.
How the Match Unfolded
The Mustangs started the afternoon strong, jumping out to a 1-0 lead after capturing the overall doubles point.
Senior Peyton Dunkle and redshirt sophomore Amy Leather swayed the momentum in the Mustangs’ favor with a 6-3 victory on line No. 2.
After the Gauchos evened up the contest on court No. 1, it was all up to sophomore Natalie Lynch and freshman Jessica MacCallum to clinch the doubles point in Cal Poly’s favor.
In a 7-5 victory, Lynch and MacCallum pulled through, putting the Mustangs on the board first, 1-0.
With singles play ready to get underway, Cal Poly lined up for potentially the final time this season, emotions were high early.
Senior Eliza Bates has been sidelined all season due to a back injury, but has been the vocal leader of the team and kept the Mustangs encouraged throughout the day.
The encouragement was felt, and Cal Poly singles started hot; they led on three courts after winning the opening sets.
However, UC Santa Barbara stormed back with three straight victories, turning the tide and taking a 3-1 lead in the dual.
Dunkle was rolling early and took the first set 6-2, but after injuring her ankle in the second set, hindering her quick feet and one of her main weapons.
Cal Poly’s leading program wins leader, needing ice and pain relievers, would not back down, continuing the relentless fight that has embodied her whole Mustangs career. The fight would not be enough as her opponent began to rally and came back in three sets.
Surrounded by her family and friends, Dunkle’s career comes to an end in the finals.
Momentum was gone but not lost. Over on court No. 5, MacCallum took a straight-set 7-5, 6-3 win to propel the Mustangs back, now only facing a one-match deficit.
The standout freshman finished her debut season on a 10-match singles win streak and went undefeated in singles and doubles play in the Big West Tournament.
Over on court No. 3 is where the Gauchos would eventually clinch and storm the court, but before their moment of celebration was a three-hour fight from senior Romane Mosse.
Mosse used every tool in her endless bag in this grind of a match. She found most of her success with heavy top-spin deep to her opponent’s forehand, then working up to the net and finding angles to put her away.
Unfortunately, it wasn’t always that easy, and there was no simple recipe.
Mosse won the first set 6-1, but her opponent would not miss for the rest of the match; every point was a grind, and the second set went the Guachos’ way.
In the deciding third set, she went down a quick 0-4 after a couple of break points, but the team was right there the whole way, cheering her through and helping Mosse fight to the finish.
In a 2-6 third-set, Mosse was defeated, and the Mustangs were officially eliminated.
For the seniors on the team, the storybook ending could not be captured, but their achievements and legacy with Cal Poly will never be forgotten
“We’re all about improvement and development in yourself as a person and player,” Williams said. “For our three seniors, Peyton, Sasha and Eliza, I’m incredibly proud of them in their achievements, but also how they handle defeat. I believe in them so much and I’m excited for them in what’s next.”
What’s next for the Cal Poly women’s tennis team will have to wait until next season. The growth potential is intriguing, and following up on one of the most successful regular seasons in program history will be something to build upon.
