April 19, 2014
Davis, Calif. --- For the second day in a row, the San José State University women's tennis team won four straight singles matches, topping UC Davis 4-3 in its last dual match of the 2013-14 season.
"I am very proud with the way they finished the season," said head coach Sylvain Malroux, whose team defeated a UC Davis squad for the first time since 2006. "We had a challenging schedule and they never gave up and the way they finished the last two matches and the way they fought in the two matches is very exciting and very encouraging when we go to play in (the) conference (tournament) next week."
Playing at the #2 spot, freshmen Gaelle Rey clinched the win for the Spartans (11-13) after going into three sets against UC Davis' (12-9) Layla Sanders. After winning the first set 6-1, Rey fell short to Sanders 5-7 in the second set. Rey battled back in the third set, shutting out Sanders 6-0, for the final match point.
Juniors Julianna Bacelar and Jessica Willett also won their respective singles matches against the Aggies. Bacelar defeated Nicole Koehly in straight sets, 6-1, 6-1, and Willett went into a tiebreaker where she defeated Tiffany Pham 6-4, 7-6, (7-3).
Senior Sabastiani Leon Chao had another impressive day as she won both her singles and doubles matches, adding to her career win record, making it 131. With these two wins, Leon Chao passes Chau Truong and now holds the first place spot on the Spartans All-Time Career Win List.
"This is a great recognition, but what matters is the road that got me there. The staff, the team, the people that support me whether it is on or off the courts. Whether it be the coaches or the family, they are all a contribution the success and I am so grateful to have them," said Leon Chao about her record-setting career performance.
Playing at the #3 position, Leon Chao went on to defeat Melissa Kobayakawa 6-3, 6-1. In doubles competition, Leon Chao teamed up with Rey at #1, defeating the Aggies duo of Sanders and Koehly, 8-1.
"I am grateful and it is amazing to have a team of girls that can really come together and fight for each other. Marie came back in the second set that she was down just so Gaelle could finish her match and win so they don't feel lonely and feel the pressure of being the last one. It is great to see the comraderie of the team.
"The preferable situation is to win doubles so there is less pressure in singles. But this is a signal that shows that even if we win doubles or not, we are able to find a way and fight to win for our school and our team. That is what makes us successful," concluded Leon Chao.
San José State travels to Fresno, Calif., for the 2014 Mountain West Championships, Wednesday, April 23 through Sunday, April 27.
| San Jose State 4, UC Davis 3 | |
| Singles competition: | |
| 1. Megan Heneghan (UCD) def. Marie Klocker (SJSU) | 7-5, 4-6, 6-1 |
| 2. Gaelle Rey (SJSU) def. Layla Sanders (UCD) | 6-1, 5-7, 6-0 |
| 3. Sabastiani Leon Chao (SJSU) def. Melissa Kobayakawa (UCD) | 6-3, 6-1 |
| 4. Julianna Bacelar (SJSU) def. Nicole Koehly (UCD) | 6-1, 6-1 |
| 5. Jessica Willett (SJSU) def. Tiffany Pham (UCD) | 6-4, 7-6 (7-3) |
| 6. Kamila Kecki (UCD) def. Tipper Truong (SJSU) | 6-4, 6-2 |
| Doubles: | |
| 1. Gaelle Rey / Sabastiani Leon Chao (SJSU) def. Layla Sanders/Nicole Koehly (UCD) | 8-1 |
| 2. Megan Heneghan/Melissa Kobayakawa (UCD) def. Julianna Bacelar / Jessica Willett (SJSU) | 8-6 |
| 3. . Tiffany Pham/Samantha Martino (UCD) def. Marie Klocker / Justine Deleval | 8-7 (7-5) |