March 23, 2009

NORTHRIDGE, Calif. -

Despite windy conditions, the Cal State Northridge women's tennis team (9-8) rattled off its sixth-straight victory, defeating San Francisco, 5-2, at the Matador Tennis Complex. Several Matadors captured victories in both singles and doubles action, as CSUN is now 9-4 over its past 13 matches.

Having started the season with a difficult schedule, head coach Gary Victor and the Matadors have rallied to get back over .500 and done so by taking advantage of a 13-match homestand. They have also gotten to 9-8 with outstanding doubles play.

Monday was no different, despite blustery conditions that at times severely affected play. Evgeniya Vertesheva andBrooke Doane moved to 13-2 with an 8-6 over Jennifer-Lee Heinser and Cecilia Gratian in the top-seeded contest. Nigora Sirojiddinova and Nina Jaworowski moved to 9-6 on the season with an 8-3 decision over Julia Wartenburger and Jessy Mekpoh at the second spot.

Finally, Whitney Paluch and Sandra Kukla defeated Mylene Martin and Sarah Oudomvilay, 8-5, in the No. 3 match. Since returning from injury that forces her to serve underhand at times, Kukla has teamed with Paluch to go 5-1 in doubles play.

In singles action, CSUN won the second through fifth-seeded matches, with Paluch's 7-5, 3-6 and 7-5 victory over Mekpoh at the fourth spot sealing the victory. Paluch has now won six straight and is 8-9 on the year.

At No. 2, Jaworowski also won in three sets, 7-6 (7), 4-6 and 10-8, against Martin to make her 10-5 on the season. Doane won her No. 3 match, 6-1 and 6-2, over Wartenburger to improve to 7-7 on the season. Sirojiddinova is now 9-8 with a 7-5 and 6-2 victory at the fifth spot against Gratian. 

In the top spot Heinser defeated Vertesheva, 6-1 and 6-3, and Alana McMahon defeated Ashley Macias in the sixth match, 6-2 and 6-0, to give the Dons their two points.

Northridge has three more contests this week, beginning with a match against Dartmouth on Mar. 25. First serve is slated for 2 p.m. at the Matador Tennis Complex.

CSUN 5, USF 2

Doubles

1. Vertesheva/Doane (CSUN) def. Heinser/Gratian (USF) 8-6

2. Jaworowski/Sirjiddinova (CSUN) def. Wartenburger/Mekpoh (USF) 8-3

3. Paluch/Kukla (CSUN) def. Martin/Oudomvilay (USF) 8-5

Singles

1. Heinser (USF) def. Vertesheva (CSUN) 6-1, 6-3

2. Jaworowski (CSUN) def. Martin (USF) 7-6 (7), 4-6, 10-8

3. Doane (CSUN) def. Wartenburger (USF) 6-1, 6-2

4. Paluch (CSUN) def. Mekpoh (USF) 7-5, 3-6, 7-5

5. Sirjoddinova (CSUN) def. Gratian (USF) 7-5, 6-2

6. McMahon (USF) def. Macias (CSUN) 6-2, 6-0