SAN DIEGO – San Diego State women’s tennis opened its spring season on Saturday, defeating Point Loma Nazarene 6-1 at the Aztec Tennis Center.
“It was a good opening day,” said Head Coach Peter Mattera. “I think that we came out with good energy. There are still things that we need to do better as we head into match number two against Oklahoma, but it was a really good start. The girls had to adjust to some late changes in the lineup, and they did a good job of rolling with it and adjusting on the fly. I’m very proud of them.”
The Aztecs claimed the doubles point, winning two of the three completed matches. On the third court, Zoe Olmos and Jo-Yee Chan took down Alina Kupfer and Melissa Zirkle 6-3. Ninon Martinache and Vesa Gjinaj clinched the first point of the match with a commanding 6-2 victory over Anna Pallencaoe and Emely Valencia on court two. Gloria Alogo and Liisa Varul led 5-4 in their matchup against Arianna Audelo and Quin Brady on court one when the doubles point was clinched.
In singles competition, Varul got off the court first after cruising to a 6-1, 6-2 win over Anna Pallencaoe in the No. 3 spot.
Chan was the next to put a point on the board. After dominating the first set 6-0 against Arianna Audelo, Chan battled for the second set, winning 7-5 on the top court.
Olmos was the clincher for the Aztecs, defeating Emely Valencia 6-1, 6-4 on court four.
In the No. 2 spot, Martinache defeated Alina Kupfer 7-5, 6-1 to earn the team’s fifth point.
Vesa Gjinaj took down Melissa Zirkle in three sets 6-1, 3-6, 9-2 to round out San Diego State’s 6-1 victory.
In the only dropped match of the afternoon, Charlotte Roesch came up short 6-2, 2-6, 4-10 against Antonia Barth.
Next up, the Aztecs will head to Berkeley, Calif. for the ITA Kickoff where they will take on 16th-ranked Oklahoma on Jan. 24.
Singles Competition
1. Jo-Yee Chan (SDSU) def. Arianna Audelo (PLNU) 6-0, 7-5
2. Ninon Martinache (SDSU) def. Alina Kupfer (PLNU) 7-5, 6-1
3. Liisa Varul (SDSU) def. Anna Pallencaoe (PLNU) 6-1, 6-2
4. Zoe Olmos (SDSU) def. Emely Valencia (PLNU) 6-1, 6-4
5. Vesa Gjinaj (SDSU) def. Melissa Zirkle (PLNU) 6-1, 3-6, 10-2
6. Antonia Barth (PLNU) def. Charlotte Roesch (SDSU) 2-6, 6-2, 10-4
Doubles Competition
1. Gloria Alogo/Liisa Varul (SDSU) led Arianna Audelo/Quin Brady (PLNU) 5-4
2. Ninon Martinache/Vesa Gjinaj (SDSU) def. Anna Pallencaoe/Emely Valencia (PLNU) 6-2
3. Zoe Olmos/Jo-Yee Chan (SDSU) def. Alina Kupfer/Melissa Zirkle (PLNU) 6-3
Order of finish: Doubles (3,2); Singles (3,1,4,2,5,6)