Feb. 23, 2009
SAN DIEGO -
Complete Release in PDF Format
Aztecs to Travel to USC
The San Diego State women's tennis team will travel to Los Angeles to face the Southern California Trojans on Tuesday, Feb. 24, at 1:30 p.m. PT. The Aztecs' last outing was Friday, Feb. 20 when SDSU defeated Arizona in a close 4-3 match.
Scouting the Trojans
Southern California is coming off a 4-3 win over No. 14 Clemson at the ITA National Indoor Championships on Feb. 15. The Trojans are ranked ninth according to the ITA National ranakings released on Feb. 19. The Trojans boast five ranked players in No. 8 Maria Sanchez, No. 22 Sarah Fansler, No. 33 Amanda Fink, No. 66 Gabriela Niculescu, and No. 88 Alison Ramos. Also making an appearance in the polls are three doubles teams for the Women of Troy. They are No. 34 Fink/Niculescu, No. 36 Niculescu/Sanchez and No. 59 Fansler and Lyndsay Kinstler. Richard Gallien is in his 14th year at the helm of USC.
Series History vs. USC
San Diego State is behind in the all-time series count against USC. The Trojans have taken 34 of the 38 meetings between the two California schools with the most recent victory for the Trojans coming last season when the Aztecs fell, 7-0. SDSU has not defeated USC in the past decade.
Aztecs In The Polls
San Diego State is making its first appearance in national rankings at No. 63 according to FILA Collegiate Tennis Rankings released Feb. 19 by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA). Aztec senior Holly Bagshaw and sophomore Julia Trunk are also making their first appearance in the national doubles rankings. The duo has yet to drop a match on the season going 7-0 in 2009 and are currently ranked 37th.
The Aztec Coaches
Peter Mattera is in his 28th season at San Diego State and 16th as head coach of the Scarlet and Black. In 15 seasons, the Aztecs' mentor has guided SDSU to 10 postseason appearances, compiling a record of 234-161 (.593) in the process. Equally impressive is the fact that 13 of his 15 squads have finished with an overall record of .500 or better despite playing one of the toughest schedules in the nation on an annual basis. Lindsey Gamp is in her fourth season as the Aztecs' assistant coach. A four-year letterwinner at SDSU (2000-03), Gamp played on three NCAA tournament teams and guided the Aztecs to a pair of Mountain West Conference regular season titles and a MWC championship crown in 2003.
Early Season Highlights
In addition to going undefeated in doubles in the first seven matches of 2009, Bagshaw is also enjoying success in singles. The SDSU senior is 5-2 in singles with the two losses coming to Mari Andersson of No. 3 California and Deborah Armstrong of No. 42 Long Beach State. Over her career, Bagshaw is 47-37 in singles.
There's No Place Like Home
Since the opening of the Aztec Tennis Center in 2005, SDSU has won 69 percent of its home matches, posting a 36-16 record. All 16 defeats have come at the hands of teams ranked in the top 60. This year the Aztecs are 4-2 at home.
Last Time Out With The Aztecs
San Diego State played host to the Arizona Wildcats on Feb. 20 when the Aztecs fought to hang on to an early lead, ultimately claiming a 4-3 victory. SDSU was out in front early, winning the doubles point. The Wildcats would prove to be a tough opponent with the match coming down to third singles, the last match to finish. San Diego State freshman Emma Cioffi, in her first official match as an Aztec, would clinch the win for SDSU with a victory over No. 124 Natasha Marks, 7-6 (5), 3-6, 6-4.
2007-08 Review
SDSU finished the 2008 dual-match campaign with a 11-13 overall record and a 3-5 mark in the Mountain West Conference.