Jan. 15, 2014
SAN DIEGO - The No. 46 San Diego State women's tennis team kicks off its dual-match season with a doubleheader against UC Riverside and Cal State Fullerton on Saturday, Jan. 18. Both matches will be played at the Aztec Tennis Center with SDSU facing the Highlanders at 9 a.m. followed by its match with the Titans at 4 p.m.
Both UC Riverside and Cal State Fullerton will open their respective spring seasons against San Diego State. Saturday's match will mark the 10th-consecutive year that the Aztecs have kicked off their season by facing the Highlanders. Last year, SDSU blanked UC Riverside, 7-0, to bring the overall series total to 9-0. The downing of the Highlanders was followed by a 6-1 victory over the Titans that SDSU will look to duplicate on Saturday. With last season's win, the all-time series against Cal State Fullerton stands at 27-0.
The Aztecs are coming off a successful fall outing, highlighted by two home events, the SDSU Fall Classics I and II. At the SDSU Fall Classic I, San Diego State newcomer Olivia Larsson and the doubles team of Kristin Buth and Laura Antonana Iriarte each reached the championship matches in their respective brackets. The Aztecs also picked up a total of 15 wins at the Fall Classic II. In addition, SDSU also competed in the ITA West Regional where senior Antonana Iriarte and sophomore Dora Somoracz advanced to the quarterfinals in their respective draws.
During 2013 spring campaign, the Aztecs clinched its first Mountain West title since 2003 and finished with an overall record of 22-6 and a perfect 8-0 in conference play. SDSU also made its 22nd appearance in the NCAA Tournament but ultimately fell short to Baylor in the first round of competition. The Scarlet and Black finished its season ranked No. 41 in the country. The success in 2013 led to head coach Peter Mattera being named the Mountain West Women's Tennis Coach of the Year for the second straight year, the third such honor of his career.
Following its season-opening doubleheader this weekend, SDSU will resume play at Long Beach State on Jan. 25 at noon.