Alba Pedrero Galindo (Photo by Max Bechtoldt)
By Johnny Culbertson (@Johnculb3) – Reporter
San Jose State women’s tennis was victorious in a close match against CSU Fullerton 4-3.
This epic clash against the Titans lasted over three hours, as senior Alba Pedrero Galindo won a third set tiebreaker to secure the victory for her team.
The day did not start in SJSU’s favor, as the Titans were able to secure the doubles point, leaving the Spartans at a disadvantage to start the singles’ matches.
The deficit quickly turned into a lead as sophomore Irene Muradyan and junior Oleksandra Andrieieva won their singles matches, Muradyan in straight sets and Andrieieva in three.
Fullerton answered back with its own win to tie the match. The Spartans and Titans continued to battle, both collecting another win to leave the match tied at three apiece.
The match point was to be decided at court two as Pedrero Galindo battled with Fullerton graduate Eira Tobrand in a third set tiebreaker. With both sides heavily invested in the outcome, all eyes were surely centered on them.
Pedrero Galindo is no stranger to third set tiebreakers, as she had been in a similar situation the week before against Sacramento State Jan. 29. The difference being that her team had already secured the win by the time her match had ended. In this tiebreaker against Tobrand, her team’s victory depended on her match.
Pedrero Galindo proved that her veins were filled with ice, as she defeated Tobrand in the tiebreaker 7-5 to win the match for SJSU. Pedrero Galindo has proved to be someone that the Spartans can depend on to secure points for her team.
“We’ve just relied on Alba [Pedrero Galindo] through the years,” said head coach Chad Skorupka. “ She won 7-6 in the third. It was just awesome.”
Despite ending the day with a victory, the Spartans will continue to find ways to improve.
“Obviously, some work to do tomorrow on our day off before we play Northridge on Sunday,” said Skorupka.
We should expect nothing less of the reigning Mountain West women’s tennis champions, as they have started the season with two strong wins.
SCORES
San Jose State 4, CSU Fullerton 3
Doubles Competition
1. Natalie Duffy/YuSeung Suh (CSF) def. Oleksandra Andrieieva/Lara Marco Mas [L] (SJSU) 6-3
2. Camila Garcia/Eira Tobrand (CSF) def. Alba Pedrero Galindo/Raquel Villan Pereira [L] (SJSU) 6-0
3. Rozalina Youseva/Jovana Babic [w] (SJSU) def. Kaytlin Taylor/Juliette Daries (CSF) 4-3
Singles Competition
1. Oleksandra Andrieieva [w] (SJSU) def. Natalie Duffy (CSF) 6-3, 3-6, 6-2
2. Alba Pedrero Galindo [w] (SJSU) def. Eira Tobrand (CSF) 6-3, 1-6, 7-6 (7-5)
3. Rozalina Youseva [w] (SJSU) def. YuSeung Suh (CSF) 7-5, 6-4
4. Irena Muradyan [w] (SJSU) def. Juliette Daries (CSF) 6-4, 6-1
5. Mariia Nikitash (CSF) def. Jovana Babic [L] (SJSU) 7-5, 6-4
6. Kaytlin Taylor (CSF) def. Lara Marco Mas [L] (SJSU) 7-6 (7-5), 6-3
The Spartans will look to obtain a third victory, as they battle the Matadors at CSU Northridge Feb. 6.
