March 17, 2007
LOS ANGELES - Despite posting three victories in singles play and adding another in doubles competition, the San Diego State women's tennis team lost a 4-3 heartbreaker to Loyola Marymount on Saturday in a non-conference clash at LMU Tennis Center in Los Angeles. The Aztecs played their second consecutive nail-biter of the week, but fell just short against the Lions as the host school broke a 2-2 tie with two wins in the final three singles matches to earn the victory. With the defeat, SDSU falls to 5-8 on the season, while LMU improves to 7-6.
Things looked good for the Scarlet and Black early on in doubles when Sisse Nielsen and Esther Cadua, who joined forces for the first time this season, disposed of Serena Fermin and Tamara Tanner, 8-5, at the No. 2 position. The Aztecs' momentum was short-lived, however, as the Lions' roared back with two straight victories of their own to secure the crucial point. On the No. 1 court, Eliska Krausova and Alesya Vidov were dealt an 8-5 setback at the hands of Pavla Mesterova and Robyn Baker, while the team of Milana Yusupov and Kathryn Kitts suffered a disappointing loss to Erin Ivey and Bliss Nixon at the No. 3 spot, 8-6.
Down 1-0 at the start of singles play, SDSU knotted the score after Nielsen knocked off Audrey Bulkley in straight sets, 6-0, 6-3, at the No. 6 position. LMU jumped back out front shortly thereafter as Krausova fell to Mesterova, 6-2, 6-1, at the No. 1 spot. Vidov pulled the visitors back to even with her 6-0, 6-1 triumph over Tanner at No. 3, but the Lions claimed the next two decisions to escape with the win.
Over on the No. 2 court, Bagshaw found herself at the wrong end of a 6-2, 6-3 score against Baker, while in the fourth slot, Yusupov had her four-match winning streak snapped at the hands of Fermin by an identical count of 6-2, 6-3 in the deciding contest. Meanwhile at No. 5, Cadua rallied from a one-set deficit to overtake Elrien de Villiers, 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, to provide for the final outcome.
SDSU returns home Tuesday, March 20, for an afternoon showdown with Pac-10 adversary Washington at Aztec Tennis Center. First serve is scheduled for 2 p.m. PDT.
LOYOLA MARYMOUNT 4, SAN DIEGO STATE 3
March 17, 2007
LMU Tennis Center--Los Angeles, Calif.
Doubles:
1. Pavla Mesterova/Robyn Baker (LMU) def. Alesya Vidov/Eliska Krausova (SDSU), 8-5.
2. Esther Cadua/Sisse Nielsen (SDSU) def. Serena Fermin/Tamara Tanner (LMU), 8-5.
3. Erin Ivey/Bliss Nixon (LMU) def. Milana Yusupov/Kathryn Kitts (SDSU), 8-6.
LMU wins doubles point
Singles:
1. #56 Pavla Mesterova (LMU) def. Eliska Krausova (SDSU), 6-2, 6-1.
2. Robyn Baker (LMU) def. Holly Bagshaw (SDSU), 6-2, 6-3.
3. Alesya Vidov (SDSU) def. Tamara Tanner (LMU), 6-0, 6-1.
4. Serena Fermin (LMU) def. Milana Yusupov (SDSU), 6-2, 6-3.
5. Esther Cadua (SDSU) def. Elrien de Villiers (LMU), 4-6, 6-3, 6-2.
6. Sisse Nielsen (SDSU) def. Audrey Bulkley (LMU), 6-0, 6-3.
Order of finish
Doubles: 2, 1, 3
Singles: 6, 1, 3, 2, 4*, 5
*match-clinching victory