Jan. 24, 2018
San Jose State University, the defending Mountain West champion, opens its 2018 women's tennis dual match season with a pair of matches against nationally-ranked opponents at its new home, the Spartan Tennis Complex, January 26 and 27.
The Spartans host Sonoma State on January 26, ranked 18th among NCAA Division II schools in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) rankings, and #1-ranked Stanford on January 27. Both matches begin at noon (PT).
Third-year head coach Chad Skorupka has three starters returning from San Jose State's 2017 conference championship team. #1-singles player Sybille Gauvain went 5-5 in singles during the fall tournament season. She was ranked #89 nationally at the end of last season when she became the tenth player in Spartan history to accumulate 100 career wins in singles and doubles. Sophomore Tamara Culibrk and junior Miyo Kobayashi were 5-6 and 7-4, respectively, in singles matches last fall.
Freshman Jackie Wagner from Germany was the team leader with eight singles victories and an 8-4 win-loss record. Freshman Laura Malsert from France topped the Spartans in doubles wins with nine as part of her 9-4 mark in the fall.
Sonoma State finished fifth in the Pac-West Conference last year. Jensyn Warren is the Seawolves top player. She was ranked 18th among NCAA Division II women's players.
Stanford is facing San Jose State in a dual match for the first time in 30 years and it is the first time the Spartans are the home team. Michaela Gordon (#13), Emily Arbuthnott (#22), Melissa Lord (#34) and Caroline Lempl (#69) are four nationally-ranked singles players. Arbuthnott and Gordon (#3), Lord and Lempi (#41) are Stanford's nationally-ranked doubles duos.
Gauvain has a three-set singles victory over Lord at the 2016 ITA Northwest Regional Championships.
There is no admission charge for home matches at the Spartan Tennis Complex near the intersection of 10th and Humboldt Streets in San Jose. Parking is available in the university's Park & Ride Lot located at 7th and Humboldt Streets.