WOMEN'S TENNIS OPENS BIG SKY PLAY WITH 7-0 TRIUMPH OVER EASTERN WASHINGTON
2/8/2009
CHENEY, Wash. - The No. 45 ranked Sacramento State women's tennis team opened up Big Sky play on Sunday afternoon with a 7-0 triumph over Eastern Washington.
With the victory, the Hornets improve to 3-0, 1-0 inside of the Big Sky, while the Eagles fall to 2-3, 0-1 in Big Sky play. Sacramento State has now won 53 straight matches over conference competition.
The Hornets swept all nine matches contested, taking home the doubles point with three doubles victories, and winning all six singles matches without dropping a single set. Junior Katrina Zheltova and sophomore Melissa Valenzuela got things started at No. 1 doubles, taking home an 8-2 victory over Marie Demerath and Amanda Mankovits. Senior Joyce Martinez Gutierrez and redshirt freshman Clarisse Baca, the No. 4 ranked team in the Northwest region by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association, remained undefeated on the season with an 8-3 triumph over Caitlin Bampton and Kasie King at No. 3 doubles. No. 2 doubles also went the way of the Hornets, as junior Aileen Tsan and freshman Maria Meliuk took down Rachel Berger and Judy Liening by a score of 8-4.
In singles play, Zheltova, the No. 58 ranked player in the nation according to the ITA, made quick work of Demerath, 6-1,6-2, and senior Luba Schifris followed it up with a 6-2, 6-2 victory over Rachel Berger at No. 3 singles. Meliuk, making her debut at No. 2 singles, clinched the match for the Hornets, shutting out Makovits 6-0, 6-0.
At the No. 4 position, Baca defeated King 6-1, 6-1, and Valenzuela followed that up with a 6-1, 6-3 victory over Judy Liening at No. 6 singles. The last match to finish was at No. 5 singles, where Martinez took down Bampton, 6-2, 6-2, to remain undefeated on the spring season.
The Hornets return to action on Saturday, Feb. 14 as they host Nevada in their home opener. First serve from Rio Del Oro Racquet Club is set for 1 p.m.
#45 Sacramento State 7, Eastern Washington 0
Feb 08, 2009 at Cheney, Wash.
Singles competition
1. #58 Katrina Zheltova (SAC) def. Marie Demerath (EWU) 6-1, 6-2
2. Maria Meliuk (SAC) def. Amanda Mankovits (EWU) 6-0, 6-0
3. Luba Schifris, (SAC) def. Rachel Berger (EWU) 6-2, 6-2
4. Clarisse Baca (SAC) def. Kasie King (EWU) 6-1, 6-1
5. Joyce Martinez Gutierrez (SAC) def. Caitlin Bampton (EWU) 6-2, 6-2
6. Melissa Valenzuela (SAC) def. Judy Liening (EWU) 6-1, 6-3
Match Notes
Sacramento State 3-0 (1-0 BSC); National ranking #45
Eastern Washington 2-3 (0-1 BSC)
Order of finish: Doubles (1,3,2); Singles (1,3,2,4,6,5)
CHENEY, Wash. - The No. 45 ranked Sacramento State women's tennis team opened up Big Sky play on Sunday afternoon with a 7-0 triumph over Eastern Washington.
