SAN DIEGO – The San Diego State women's tennis team opened a stretch of three home matches in five days with a 4-0 victory over Dartmouth Wednesday afternoon at the Aztec Tennis Center.
San Diego State posted its fifth shutout of the season without dropping a singles set as the 64th-ranked Aztecs improved to 8-4 on the season.
Throughout the year SDSU head coach Peter Mattera has talked about the depth on his 2022 squad. That was apparent on Wednesday as the Aztecs nationally-ranked doubles team suffered just its second loss of the season and SDSU did not earn a singles point from its nationally-ranked player and still cruised to victory.
"The team played a very focused, confident match today, attacking the big moments better and keeping our foot on the gas pedal from start to finish against a very game Dartmouth team," Mattera said. "Nnena (Nadozie) and Regina (Pitts) fought back from behind in the tiebreak to clinch the always important doubles point, and we were able to take that momentum into singles. This was a very solid match for us.
"We are looking forward to getting the Mountain West season started on Saturday, with our only two home opportunities of the season coming this weekend. "
The Aztecs suffered a rare doubles loss on court one to open the match. SDSU entered Wednesday with a 10-1 record at the top of the doubles lineup, including a 9-1 record for Bunyawi Thamchaiwat and Tamara Arnold, who entered the national rankings at No. 51 this week. The SDSU pair saw their six-match win streak snapped at the hands of Katie Weber and Elizabeth Fahrmeier, 6-4.
San Diego State rallied to win the doubles point closing out close matches on courts two and three. At number three doubles, Alicia Melosch and Cécile Morin defeated Lexi Dewire and Chloe Yoo, 7-5.
Nnena Nadozie and Regina Pitts clinched the first point of the match by rallying after falling behind in the tiebreaker, to record a 7-6 (6) win over Ashley Hess and Chidimma Okpara.
For as much drama as there was in doubles action, the singles played out quite comfortable for the home team, with SDSU dropping a total of seven games in the six sets played to post the three singles victories.
Arnold was first off on court number two, showing no residual impact from the doubles result. The senior won her third consecutive singles match and improved to 8-3 in the calendar year with a 6-0, 6-1 victory over Hess.
The Aztecs clinched the match with victories from Melosch and Pitts, both of whom claimed victories in doubles and singles play in the match for San Diego State.
On court five, Melosch was a 6-2, 6-0 victor over Ujvala Jupalli. It was the third consecutive win for the La Jolla native who also posted her eighth win in 2022.
At number four singles, it was Pitts improving to 5-3 with a 6-2, 6-2 win against Dewire.
As for Thamchaiwat, who has climbed to a No. 83 national ranking in singles play, her match was halted with the transfer senior leading, 6-3, 2-1.
Up Next
San Diego State opens Mountain West Conference play with a pair of matches this weekend at the Aztec Tennis Center. On Saturday, the Aztecs will entertain Boise State with SDSU playing host to Utah State on Sunday. Both matches are scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. PT and admission is free.
Women's Tennis: No. 64 San Diego State 4, Dartmouth 0
Singles
1. No. 83 Bunyawi Thamchaiwat (SDSU) vs. Chidimma Okpara (Dartmouth) - 6-3, 2-1, unfinished
2. Tamara Arnold (SDSU) def. Ashley Hess (Dartmouth) – 6-0, 6-1
3. Nnena Nadozie (SDSU) vs. Katie Weber (Dartmouth) – 7-6 (3), unfinished
4. Regina Pitts (SDSU) def. Lexi Dewire (Dartmouth) – 6-2, 6-2
5. Alicia Melosch (SDSU) def. Ujvala Jupalli (Dartmouth) – 6-2, 6-0
6. Julia Jordan (SDSU) vs. Emily Zhou (Dartmouth) – 6-6, unfinished
Doubles
1. Katie Weber / Elizabeth Fahrmeier (Dartmouth) def. No. 51 Bunyawi Thamchaiwat / Tamara Arnold (SDSU) – 6-4
2. Nnena Nadozie / Regina Pitts (SDSU) def. Ashley Hess / Chidimma Okpara (Dartmouth) – 7-6 (6)
3. Alicia Melosch / Cécile Morin (SDSU) def. Lexi Dewire / Chloe Yoo (Dartmouth) – 7-5
Order of Finish: Doubles (1, 3, 2); Singles (2, 5, 4)
Team Records: San Diego State (8-4), Dartmouth (6-6)
WTN Flexes Lineup Depth; Defeats Dartmouth, 4-0
