March 31, 2017
Marie Klocker became the San Jose State University career leader in women's tennis victories with a straight set singles victory as the Spartans defeated the Academy of Art University, 7-0, in a non-conference women's tennis match.
Klocker, a senior from Mulhouse, France, defeated Annika Schneider, 6-1, 6-4 at #2-singles for her 133rd combined singles and doubles victories at the collegiate level. Seventy (70) of her wins are singles triumphs.
"I played well the first set. She (Schneider) changed her tactics at the beginning of the second set. I made some mistakes. Then, I tried to adapt and did better at the end," said Klocker, who like all players was faced with a gusty wind at the Almaden Valley Athletic Club.
"For me, it's just one more win. I'm happy. It's good," the new career record holder replied in a matter-of-fact manner.
"She's a special person. Being a senior, it's amazing. She has all the shots. When I was talking to her today, when she keeps her focus, she can beat anybody. She has every shot in the book -- kick serve, flat serve, drop shot, slice, big topspin. She just has to keep her emotions in check and she will be successful," said San Jose State head coach Chad Skorupka.
"Deep down, she wants the team's success first and her success second."
The San Jose State win (8-4) was the team's fourth in a row and stopped Academy of Art's (12-3) four-match winning streak.
Despite the one-sided final score, the Spartans needed three third-set tiebreakers in their favor for their third shutout win of the season and second in as many non-conference matches.
Seniors Gaelle Rey and Marine Dans and junior Sybille Gauvain all won 10-point tiebreakers in their singles matches at #6, #3 and #1, respectively. Rey and Dans also won in doubles giving Rey two victories to move her into a third-place on the San Jose State career wins list at 131.
Tamara Culibrk and Miyo Kobayashi were straight-set singles winners at #4 and #5, respectively, and won the first match of the day playing #3 doubles in a 6-2 win over the Urban Knights pair of Monika Stanikova and Paula Alcantara.
"It was a tough battle. Academy of Art is #10, I think (sic), in the (NCAA) Division II rankings. We had not played since the 16th, so it was a long layover. As you can see from the scores, three of the matches went to a match tiebreaker for the third set. Fortunately, we were victorious in all of them," said the San Jose State head coach. "That's a good team. I think they'll make run in the D-II playoffs."
San Jose State concludes its weekend hosting UNLV in a Sunday, April 2, Mountain West dual match at the Almaden Valley Athletic Club starting at noon. The Rebels (13-6) topped San Diego State, 7-0, earlier today.
San Jose State University women's tennis
San Jose State vs. Academy of Art
March 31, 2017
Final score -- San Jose State 7, Academy of Art 0
| Doubles |
| Sybille Gauvain & Marie Klocker (SJSU) vs. Alma Thell-Lenntorp & Kiara Thell-Lenntorp (AA), 5-4, unfinished. |
| Marine Dans & Gaelle Rey (SJSU) def. Annika Schneider & Taisiia Andrieieva (AA), 6-2. |
| Tamara Culibrk & Miyo Kobayashi (SJSU) def. Monika Stanikova & Paula Alcantara (AA), 6-2. |
| Order of finish -- (3, 2) |
| Singles |
| #74 Sybille Gauvain (SJSU) def. Monica Stanikova (AA), 6-7, 6-3, 1-0 (10-8). |
| Marie Klocker (SJSU) def. Annika Schneider (AA), 6-1, 6-4. |
| Marine Dans (SJSU) def. Kiara Thell-Lenntorp (AA), 3-6, 7-5, 1-0 (10-4). |
| Tamara Culibrk (SJSU) def. Mariacristina Andrisani (AA), 6-0, 6-2. |
| Miyo Kobayashi (SJSU) def. Alma Thell-Lenntorp (AA), 6-3, 6-3. |
| Gaelle Rey (SJSU) def. Paula Alcantara (AA), 6-3, 4-6, 1-0 (10-7). |
| Order of finish -- (4, 2, 5, 3, 6, 1) |
| Records -- Academy of Art -- 12-3; San Jose State -- 8-4. |