SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – The University of San Francisco women's tennis team (3-1) overcame tough starts to both singles and doubles play to hand the University of California at Santa Barbara Gauchos (2-1) its first loss of the spring.
After dropping the first doubles match of the day, the Dons stormed back to take the next two matches and earn the doubles point for USF. The Dons have now taken all four doubles points in dual match play on the spring.
The Gauchos looked to be up to the challenge, however, as Santa Barbara's Priscilla Garcia and Stacy Yam opened singles play with victories to give UCSB a 2-1 advantage.
USF then took control of the match when senior
Yurie Hashiguchi posted a 6-2, 6-3 victory out of the No. 5 slot in the lineup, sparking the Dons to sweep the final four matches of the day.
“We had a strong start today beginning with the doubles,” said USF coach
Hilary Somers. “We had great intensity and fight until the last point. This was a great match for everyone, but especially
Sofia Holmberg, who is now 4-0 in singles play.”
The Dons begin a stretch of 11 consecutive home matches in the friendly confines of Golden Gate Park when they take on the Fresno State Bulldogs (2-2, 1-0 Mountain West) on Saturday, Feb. 9 at 11 a.m.
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DOUBLES:
1. Andrea Ka /
Sofia Holmberg (USF) def. April Scatliffe / Priscila Garcia (UCSB) 8-4
2. Yurie Hashiguchi /
Milica Hadzi-Tanovic (USF) def. Kiersten Meeham / Stacy Yam (UCSB) 8-5
3. Erica Cano / Paola Cos (UCSB) def.
Melinda Akerbrant /
Brooke Irish (USF) 8-4
Order of finish: 3, 1, 2
SINGLES:
1. Andrea Ka (USF) def. April Scatliffe (UCSB) 6-3, 6-4
2. Sofia Holmberg (USF) def. Kiersten Meeham (UCSB) 6-2, 6-4
3. Milica Hadzi-Tanovic (USF) def. Paola Cos (UCSB) 7-5, 5-7, 10-5
4. Priscila Garcia (UCSB) def.
Brooke Irish (USF) 6-1, 6-2
5. Yurie Hashiguchi (USF) def. Erica Cano (UCSB) 6-2, 6-3
6. Stacy Yam (UCSB) def.
Melinda Akerbrant (USF) 6-3, 6-0
Order of finish: 4, 6, 5, 1, 2, 3
FINAL SCORE: USF 5, UCSB 2
