WOMEN'S TENNIS IMPROVES TO 3-0 IN THE BIG SKY WITH TWO VICTORIES
3/1/2008
SACRAMENTO, Calif. - The No. 49 ranked Sacramento State women's tennis team improved to 3-0 in Big Sky Conference play with a 7-0 victory over Weber State and a 6-1 victory over Portland State on Saturday, March 1 at Rio Del Oro Racquet Club.
With the two victories, the Hornets improve to 9-1 overall, while the Wildcats fall to 3-6 (1-2 Big Sky) and the Vikings drop to 3-6 (1-3).
In the days opening contest against Weber State, the Hornets swept the doubles action in short order. Sophomore Katrina Zheltova and freshman Melissa Valenzuela defeated Inalise Pienaar and Ashley Schapper 8-2 at No. 1 doubles, while juniors Luba Schrifris and Karina Jarlkaganova took down Gabriela Venditto and Keya Adamson in No. 2 doubles action, 8-0. At No. 3 doubles, the tandem of sophomore Aileen Tsan and junior Anastassia Lyssenko defeated Greyce Farias and Elsje Beneke 8-1.
On the singles side of the ledger, the Hornets did not drop a set, and only lost a combined 13 points over the 12 sets played. Valenzuela, making her career debut at No. 1 singles, defeated Gabriela Venditto 6-1, 6-0. She was one of four Hornets to not allow their opponent to pass love in a set. At No. 2 singles, Lyssenko defeated Pienaar 6-3, 6-0, while at No. 5 singles, junior Joyce Martinez Gutierrez defeated Adamson 6-0, 6-1. The first match to finish occurred at No. 6 singles, as Tsan defeated Alyssia Pyne, 6-1, 6-0.
After a few hours of rest, the Hornets retook the courts to take on Portland State. Again, the Hornets swept the doubles matches, with the closest contested match occurring at No. 1 doubles, an 8-4 triumph for Zheltova and Valenzuela over Lacey Pflibsen and Molly Knox.
Playing her first singles match of the day, No. 36 ranked Katrina Zheltova defeated Lacey Pflibsen at No. 1 singles 6-1, 6-1. The Vikings lone point came in the last match of the day to finish, a 7-6 (10-6), 3-6, 6-0 victory for Stephanie Fuchs over Valenzuela at No. 2 singles.
In her two singles matches on the day, Tsan outscored her opponents at No. 6 singles 24 games to two. Combined with her doubles results with partner Lyssenko, Tsan was on the losing end of just six games on the day of 46 played.
Sacramento State will return to action on Sunday afternoon as they travel to regional rival Pacific. First serve at the Hal Nelson Tennis Courts in Stockton, Calif. is set for 1 p.m.
#49 Sacramento State 7, Weber State 0 3/1/2008 at Sacramento, Calif. (Rio Del Oro Racquet Club)
SACRAMENTO, Calif.
