San Jose, Calif.—In a hard-fought, 4 ½ hour match, the San José State women's tennis team needed every ounce of strength and energy to win 4-3 over Fresno State in the team's final home match of the season at the Spartan Tennis Complex.
After dropping the doubles point to the Bulldogs, the Spartans won the first three singles matches to take a 3-1 lead. Irena Muradyan needed three sets to win 3-6, 6-1, 6-2 to record the first Spartan point. Raquel Villan Pereira also needed three sets to win 6-0, 2-6, 6-4 for the second point of the day. Lara Marco Mas won in straight sets 6-4, 6-4 to give SJSU the 3-1 lead.
The next two Spartan singles matches each went three sets, but Fresno State won both points. Alba Pedrero Galindo won her first set 6-3, but fell 6-4, 6-2. Jovana Babic won her first set 7-6 (6) but then lost 6-4, 6-4.
The match came down to the #2 singles match between Spartan Rozalina Youseva and Bulldog Cristina Flaquer. The first set took two hours to play and went to tiebreaker before Youseva won 7-6 (4). The second set then took over an hour and half before Youseva won 7-5 to clinch the win for the Spartans and keep the undefeated season alive.
"I can honestly say that in my 23 years of collegiate coaching, this was probably the most dramatic match in terms of ups and downs, tight line calls, the close points and the yelling and screaming of support from both sides. It was one of the most amazing matches to be a part of today and being on the winning end makes it feel a lot better," said Spartan head coach Chad Skorupka.
"I take my hats off to Fresno State and their coaching staff for a competitive day. Today we saw the highs and lows of competing. Unfortunately, one team is going to win and one is going to lose. We are looking forward to a couple of days off before traveling to Logan for two more competitive matches next weekend."
The Spartans improved to 10-0 on the season, the best start in school history. The team travels to Utah State next weekend for matches against Boise State and the Aggies.
Fresno State vs San Jose State
04/03/2021 at San Jose, CA
(Spartan Tennis Complex)
San Jose State 4, Fresno State 3
Singles competition
1. AHMED, Dalia (FS) def. PEDRERO GALINDO,Alba (SJSU) 3-6, 6-4, 6-2
2. YOUSEVA, Rozalina (SJSU) def. FLAQUER, Cristina (FS) 7-6 (7-4), 7-5
3. MURADYAN, Irena (SJSU) def. MARCINKEVICA, Deniza (FS) 3-6, 6-1, 6-2
4. MARCO MAS, Lara (SJSU) def. HUMMEL, A.C. (FS) 6-4, 6-4
5. VILLAN PEREIRA, Raq (SJSU) def. PIFERI, Carolina (FS) 6-0, 2-6, 6-4
6. HUSREFOVIC, Ella (FS) def. BABIC, Jovana (SJSU) 6-7 (6-8), 6-4, 6-4
Doubles competition
1. AHMED, Dalia/MARCINKEVICA, Deniza (FS) def. SENDAR, Savannah/MARCO MAS, Lara (SJSU) 6-0
2. NONNIS MARZANO, C./PIFERI, Carolina (FS) def. CULIBRK, Tamara/PEDRERO GALINDO,Alba (SJSU) 6-2
3. YOUSEVA, Rozalina/VILLAN PEREIRA, Raq (SJSU) vs. HUMMEL, A.C./FLAQUER, Cristina (FS) 4-3, unfinished
Match Notes:
Fresno State 10-4; San Jose State 10-0
Order of finish: Doubles (1,2); Singles (3,5,4,1,6,2)
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