TUCSON, Ariz. - The Arizona women's tennis team hosted two matches on Monday, splitting the double header by bouncing back with a dominant victory over Northern Arizona in the evening after falling in a competitive match to No. 21 USC early in the afternoon.
The Wildcats (3-1) commenced the day against the 21st ranked Trojans (4-0), and opened the match in impressive fashion, securing the double point to take a 1-0 lead. Danielle Tuhten and Martyna Ostrzygalo posted a 6-4 victory over Jana Hossam and Krisha Mahendran on court two, while Josie Usereau and Maria Garcia pulled out a clutch 7-6 victory on court three over Emma Charney and Immi Haddad. Usereau and Garcia won the tiebreaker 8-6 to secure the win, and help pick up the point for the Cats.
In singles competition, Arizona fell 5-1, as USC went on to win the match 5-2. Ostrzygalo had an exciting battle against #12 Charney on court one, as Ostrzygalo fought back after dropping the first set 4-6 to take set two 7-5 and force a pivotal third set. Ostrzygalo fell in the final set 3-6. Jana Hassam beat Moore on court two and Tuhten fell to Haddad on court three. Usereau fell in three sets on court four and Garcia lost to Eugenia Zozaya on court five. Tanvi Narendran, picked up the lone singles win for Arizona on court six, as she came back after dropping the first set and defeated Dani Borruel in three sets.
The Cats returned to the court in the early evening to face NAU (0-1). For the second consecutive match, Arizona took an early advantage by winning the doubles point. Josie Usereau and Stephanie Shogreen had a tremendous performance on court three, defeating Leontina Stojanovic and Mia Wolter 6-0 to set the tone for the Cats. After Arizona lost on court two, the point came down to a vital match on court one. Martyna Ostrzygalo and Ciara Moore showed great poise and pulled out a clutch 7-5 win over Elen Jantacova and Natalie Rainke.
Arizona dominated the singles matches, winning five of six to earn a 6-1 victory over Northern Arizona. Ostrzygalo defeated Patryc Niewiadomska on court one, winning the first set 6-1 before dropping the second set; however, she won the third set 6-3 to secure the point. On court two, Moore beat Andrea Noguera 6-2, 6-2. NAU took court three; but, Garcia won 6-1, 6-1 on court four, and Shogreen dominated her matchup on court six, winning 6-0, 6-0.
Arizona will head to Austin, Texas to compete at ITA Kickoff Weekend, beginning with a matchup against Texas on Friday, Jan. 23 at 2:00 p.m. MST.
