April 1, 2007
FORT WORTH, Texas - The San Diego State women's tennis team rebounded from a tough loss to TCU with a 5-2 decision over 58th-ranked New Mexico on Sunday in a Mountain West Conference dual at the Bayard H. Friedman Tennis Center in Fort Worth, Texas. After dropping a fiercely contested doubles point, the 74th-ranked Aztecs rallied to take five of singles matches en route to their fifth victory in their last six outings. With the win, SDSU raises its record to 10-9 overall and 4-1 in the MWC, while the Lobos lost their sixth in row, falling to 7-9 on the year and 0-3 in league play.
Things started ominously for the Aztecs in doubles action after Alesya Vidov and Eliska Krausova suffered an 8-3 defeat at the hands of UNM's Sandra Zmak and Lucy Scott at the No. 1 position. However, SDSU managed to pull even when the tandem of Holly Bagshaw and Sisse Nielsen slipped past Ola Abou-Zekry and Jennifer Ryba, 8-6, at the No. 2 spot. Meanwhile, Milana Yusupov and Kathryn Kitts found themselves in an epic struggle with Maria Sotirchos and Nora Quintal over on the No. 3 court. The Aztec duo battled to the very end, but came up just short in a 9-8(13-11) marathon, giving the Lobos an early 1-0 advantage.
Inspired by its near miss in doubles, SDSU came out with a sense of purpose in singles competition as the Scarlet and Black prevailed in five of six encounters. Esther Cadua got things rolling with a 6-2, 6-2 triumph over Scott in the fourth position, while Nielsen gave the Aztecs their first lead of the day at 2-1 after knocking off Ryba, 6-1, 6-3, at No. 6. However, New Mexico knotted the score shortly thereafter when Abou-Zekry dispatched Krausova, 7-5, 6-1, on the No. 1 court.
SDSU regained the upper hand moments later after Bagshaw pinned a 6-1, 6-4 defeat on Mackenzie White in the third slot. Vidov then secured the winning point with a gritty 6-4, 7-6(4) effort over Zmak at the No. 2 spot. Rounding out the day was Yusupov, who exacted a measure of revenge from her earlier doubles loss with a three-set victory over Quintal in the fifth position, 3-6, 6-4, 6-4, to account for the final score.
San Diego State returns home to face No. 24 Oregon, Friday, April 6, in a non-conference clash at Aztec Tennis Center. Match time is set for 2 p.m. PDT.
No. 74 SAN DIEGO STATE 5, No. 58 NEW MEXICO 2
April 1, 2007
Bayard H. Friedman Tennis Center--Fort Worth, Texas
Doubles:
1. Sandra Zmak/Lucy Scott (UNM) def. Alesya Vidov/Eliska Krausova (SDSU), 8-3.
2. Holly Bagshaw/Sisse Nielsen (SDSU) def. Ola Abou-Zekry /Jennifer Ryba (UNM), 8-6.
3. Maria Sotirchos/Nora Quintal (UNM) def. Milana Yusupov/Kathryn Kitts (SDSU), 9-8(13-11).
New Mexico wins doubles point
Singles:
1. #120 Ola Abou-Zekry (UNM) def. Eliska Krausova (SDSU), 7-5, 6-1.
2. Alesya Vidov (SDSU) def. Sandra Zmak (UNM), 6-4, 7-6(6).
3. Holly Bagshaw (SDSU) def. Mackenzie White (UNM), 6-1, 6-4.
4. Esther Cadua (SDSU) def. Lucy Scott (UNM), 6-2 6-2.
5. Milana Yusupov (SDSU) def. Nora Quintal (UNM), 3-6, 6-4, 6-4.
6. Sisse Nielsen (SDSU) def. Jennifer Ryba (UNM), 6-1, 6-3.
Order of finish
Doubles: 1, 2, 3
Singles: 4, 6, 1, 3, 2*, 5
*match-clinching victory