April 26, 2007
COLOARDO SPRINGS, Colo. - The fourth-seeded San Diego State women's tennis team suffered a 4-0 setback at the hands of No. 5 seed New Mexico on Thursday in the quarterfinal round of the Mountain West Conference championships in Colorado Springs, Colo. The Aztecs were unable to overcome the absence of junior Eliska Krausova, who was scratched from both doubles and singles due to illness. With the defeat, SDSU falls to 14-11 on the season, while the Lobos improve to 12-10.
Forced to alter their lineup, the Aztecs were unable to provide the winning formula in doubles competition as UNM jumped out to a quick 1-0 lead. The tandem of Holly Bagshaw and Kathryn Kitts was the first to experience the Lobos' wrath after dropping an 8-2 decision to Ola Abou-Zekry and Jennifer Ryba at the No. 2 position. New Mexico promptly secured the crucial point when the duo of Sandra Zmak and Lucy Scott dispatched Alesya Vidov and Milana Yusupov by an identical 8-2 count on the No. 1 court. Over at No. 3, Esther Cadua and Sisse Nielsen trailed 7-6 in a tight battle with Maria Sotirchos and Nora Quintal when their contest was abandoned.
Earlier this month, SDSU was able to overcome an early deficit by taking five of six singles matches against UNM in a 5-2 victory during the regular season. However, any hopes for a duplicate performance in Thursday's contest were soon dashed as the Lobos quickly solved the Aztecs shuffled rotation. First off the court was Abou-Zekry, who prevailed by a 6-4, 6-2 margin over Vidov at the top position. Shortly thereafter, Ryba posted a 6-2, 6-3 triumph at No. 6 over Ozge Atalay, who was making her first singles appearance since March 23.
With a commanding 3-0 lead, New Mexico put the match away when Zmak upended Bagshaw at the No. 2 spot, 6-4, 6-2, giving the Lobos the requisite four points to advance to Friday's semifinal round where it will face top-seeded Brigham Young. With the outcome no longer in question, Cadua, Yusupov and Nielsen all had their respective matches abandoned.
SDSU will await word whether it receives an at-large NCAA Tournament bid on Tuesday, May 1, when team brackets will be announced.
NEW MEXICO 4, SAN DIEGO STATE 0
April 26, 2007
AFA Outdoor Tennis Facility--Colorado Springs, Colo.
Doubles:
1. Sandra Zmak/Lucy Scott (UNM) def. Alesya Vidov/Milana Yusupov (SDSU), 8-2.
2. Ola Abou-Zekry /Jennifer Ryba (UNM) def. Holly Bagshaw/Kathryn Kitts (SDSU), 8-2.
3. Maria Sotirchos/Nora Quintal (UNM) vs. Esther Cadua/Sisse Nielsen (SDSU), 7-6 DNF.
New Mexico wins doubles point
Singles:
1. #116 Ola Abou-Zekry (UNM) def. Alesya Vidov (SDSU), 6-4, 6-2.
2. Sandra Zmak (UNM) def. Holly Bagshaw (SDSU), 6-4, 6-2.
3. Esther Cadua (SDSU) vs. Mackenzie White (UNM), 7-5, 3-2 DNF.
4. Milana Yusupov (SDSU) vs. Nora Quintal (UNM), 7-5, 2-1 DNF.
5. Lucy Scott (UNM) vs. Sisse Nielsen (SDSU), 6-2, 2-5 DNF.
6. Jennifer Ryba (UNM) def. Ozge Atalay (SDSU), 6-2, 6-3.
Order of finish
Doubles: 2, 1
Singles: 1, 6, 3*
*match-clinching victory