. By Johnny Culbertson (@JohnCulb3)— Reporter
San Jose State women’s tennis traveled to Arizona this weekend, splitting their duals against Northern Arizona and Arizona.
The Spartan’s won a tight battle against the Lumberjacks, as junior Rosalina Youseva clinched the dual Saturday afternoon 4-3.
SJSU was able to collect the doubles point to start the dual, giving them a one point advantage into the singles competition.
Senior Alba Pedrero Galindo and sophomore Jovana Babic quickly collected two points and put the Spartans an inch from victory. The Lumberjacks refused to be swept, and put the Spartans on their heels by collecting three wins to tie the dual at three a-piece.
Thankfully for the Spartans, Youseva was the remaining factor. SJSU felt relieved to rely on her, since she had a perfect 9-0 record in singles going into this match.
She collected the match point in straight sets bringing her record to 10-0 and securing the victory for the Spartans.
SJSU had trouble fending off volleys from Arizona University, losing a tough battle Sunday morning 1-4.
The Spartans looked exhausted from their previous dual the day before. Their close victory against the Lumberjacks could have drained them of the energy they needed against Arizona.
The Spartans went down fast, as the Wildcats routed their attempts to win the doubles point.
After two quick losses in singles, the Spartans were in a 0-3 hole. Pedrero Galindo was able to defeat her opponent in straight sets to give SJSU their first point of the dual.
SJSU battled to the bitter end, as each remaining Spartan had split their first two sets. Hope began to rise as the Spartans battled in their deciding third sets.
Despite their efforts, Junior Oleksandra Andrieieva was unable to defeat her opponent in the third set as the Spartans fell to the Wildcats.
The Spartans lineup changed going into this dual, competing without Youseva and sophomore Irena Muradyan, two strong players that were surely missed.
Despite the tough loss, there were some bright sides to take home.
“Just some great battles, some great opportunities,” said head coach Chad Skorupka. “Team’s gonna learn from this loss. They’re gonna realize the potential we have.”
San Jose State will look to bounce back as they face Santa Clara Feb. 25
SCORES
San Jose State 4, Northern Arizona 3
Doubles Competition
1. vs. Oleksandra Andrieieva/Irena Muradyan [UF] (SJSU) vs. Mimi Bland/Annabel Daviso (NAU) 4-5
2. Alba Pedrero Galindo/Lara Marcos Mas [W] (SJSU) def. Sofia Markova/Gina Dittmann (NAU) 6-2
3. Rozalina Youseva/Jovana Babic [w] (SJSU) def. Laura Duhl/Elinor Beazley (NAU) 6-2
Singles Competition
1. Gina Dittmann (NAU) def. Oleksandra Andrieieva [L] (SJSU) 3-6, 1-6
2. Alba Pedrero Galindo [w] (SJSU) def. Mimi Bland (NAU) 6-3, 6-2
3. Sofia Markova (NAU) def. Irena Muradyan [L] (SJSU) 5-7, 4-6
4. Rozalina Youseva [w] (SJSU) def. Ava Neyestani (NAU) 6-4, 7-5
5. Elinor Beazley (NAU) def. Raquel Villan Pereira [L] (SJSU) 4-6, 1-6
6. Jovana Babic [w] (SJSU) def. Laura Duhl (NAU) 6-4, 6-1
SCORES
San Jose State 1, Arizona 4
Doubles Competition
1. Kirsten Prelle/Kayla Wilkins (AU) def. Alba Pedrero Galindo/Lara Marcos Mas [L] (SJSU) 1-6
2. Oleksandra Adrieieva/Raquel Villan Pereira [UF] (SJSU) vs. Khim Iglupas/Salma Ziouti (AU) 2-5
3. Belen Nevenhoven/Midori Castillo-Meza (AU) def. Olaya Bances Iglesias/Jovana Babic [L] (SJSU) 1-6
Singles Competition
1. Alba Pedrero Galindo [w] (SJSU) def. Salma Ziouti (AU) 7-5, 6-4
2. Kayla Wilkins (AU) def. Oleksandra Adrieieva [L] (SJSU) 4-6, 6-3, 3-6
3. Midori Castilo-Meza (AU) def. Raquel Villan Pereira [L] (SJSU) 1-6, 4-6
4. Jovana Babic [UF] (SJSU) vs. Khim Iglupas (AU) 6-4, 4-6, 5-4
5. Lara Marcos Mas [UF] (SJSU) vs. Kirsten Prelle (AU) 3-6, 6-2, 2-3
6. Belen Nevenhoven (AU) def. Olaya Bances Iglesias [L] (SJSU) 4-6, 1-6