PULLMAN, Wash. – After yesterday's 4-0 victory against Idaho, the Arizona women's tennis team (13-1) won their ninth straight match by defeating the Washington State Cougars 5-2.
“I couldn't be happier with where we are right now,” head coach Vicky Maes said. “Our girls are fierce competitors and that has made all the difference for us this season. Washington State showed a lot of heart and we had to earn every single point. To come away with three tough conference wins on the road in the last two weeks is an impressive feat and I'm really proud of my squad.”
Arizona got off to a good start in doubles as the Wildcats clinched the point with ease. Devin Chypyha and Laura Oldham won their seventh doubles match of the season by defeating Donika Bashota and Holly Monahan 8-0. Lauren Marker and Inge Hendrikx then won their team leading ninth doubles victory by beating Lize Leenknecht and Victoria Matejevic 8-2. Briar Preston and Shayne Austin were leading Elizaveta Luzina and Maria Biryukova 5-3 when doubles play ended.
Hendrikx started it off for the Wildcats in singles as she defeated Vasyukhina in straight sets 6-2, 6-0. The junior now has a record of 11-2 in the spring and has won her last eight singles matches. No. 97 Preston won her match 6-2, 6-2 against Luzina, which is her 11th victory on the season. No. 113 Marker won her team high 14th singles match of the season today as she defeated Biryukova 6-4, 6-3. The sophomore is still undefeated during the spring (14-0).
Chypyha's undefeated singles record was in jeopardy as Matejevic forced a third set tiebreak. Chypyha won the first set 6-4, but then dropped her next one 5-7. The tiebreak did not lack any drama as Chypyha earned the hard fought victory by winning it 12-10. The freshman has now won her first 13 singles matches this spring.
Oldham dropped her match today as she lost to Leenknecht in straight sets 6-4, 6-2. That breaks a six-game winning streak for the senior and she now has a record of 9-4 this spring. Austin (9-4) also lost her match today as Bashota defeated her in three sets (7-6, 3-6, 11-9). This loss halts Austin's five-game winning streak.
The Wildcats return home for the first time since Mar. 5 as they host highly ranked opponents Cal on Friday, Mar. 27 at 1:30 PT and Stanford on Saturday, Mar. 28 at noon PT.
Doubles
1. Elizaveta Luzina/Maria Biryukova (WSU) vs. Shayne Austin/Briar Preston (ARIZ) 3-5, unfinished
2. Lauren Marker/Inge Hendrikx (ARIZ) def. Lize Leenknecht/Victoria Matejevic (WSU) 8-2
3. Devin Chypyha/Laura Oldham (ARIZ) def. Donika Bashota/Holly Monahan (WSU) 8-0
Singles
1. #113 Lauren Marker (ARIZ) def. Maria Biryukova (WSU) 6-4, 6-3
2. #97 Briar Preston (ARIZ) def. Elizaveta Luzina (WSU) 6-2, 6-2
3. Lize Leenknecht (WSU) def. Laura Oldham (ARIZ) 6-4, 6-2
4. Devin Chypyha (ARIZ) def. Victoria Matejevic (WSU) 6-4, 5-7, 1-0 (12-10)
5. Donika Bashota (WSU) def. Shayne Austin (ARIZ) 6-7 (8-10), 6-3, 1-0 (11-9)
6. Inge Hendrikx (ARIZ) def. Nastia Vasyukhina (WSU) 6-2, 6-0
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