SDSU WOMEN'S TENNIS BATTLES IN FIRST ROUNDS AT ITA REGIONALS

Aztecs split doubles, struggle in singles at Barnes Tennis Center

Source:  goaztecs.com

Photo courtesy goaztecs.com

October 19, 2017 (San Diego) - The San Diego State women’s tennis team opened day one of the ITA Southwest Regional Championships at the Barnes Tennis Center with challenging matchups that led to just two wins and seven losses in the first rounds of the event. The Aztecs hope to seize an opportunity to stay alive tomorrow in the championship bracket with one doubles pair advancing and two duos coming off round of 64 byes.

In the doubles round of 64, junior Jenny Moinard and sophomore Mia Smith dominated against Flora Amiri and Yulin Chen of UCI, posting an impressive 8-1 win. Moinard and Smith will continue to the round of 32 tomorrow morning at 9 a.m., taking on Laura Gulbe and Dzina Milovanovic of Pepperdine.

Seniors Jana Buth and Paola Diaz were not as fortunate, falling out of the championship bracket Thursday with a tough 9-7 loss to LBSU’s Carlota Casasampere and Georgia Gulin. The Aztec duo is set for a consolation match tomorrow morning at 9 a.m. against Caisey Emery and Genevieve Zeidan of CSUF.

Junior Magda Aubets and freshman Nnena Nadozie received a first round bye and face Natalia Munoz and Lena Pacholski of LBSU on Friday at 9 a.m., who also had a bye in the round of 64. Sophomore Berta Acero and freshman Abbie Mulbarger also received a bye on Thursday and are set to play USC’s No. 5 seed Gabby Smith and Madison Westby in Friday’s round of 32.

In the singles round of 128, Nadozie was able to take down CSUF’s Luxizi Meng, 6-2, 6-3, but was unable to overcome USC’s Constance Branstine in the round of 64, falling 6-4, 7-6. Nadozie is set to take on Yesica De Lucas (LMU) in the consolation draw on Friday at 12:30 p.m.

Aubets received a bye in the first round of singles and played Maria Torres of USD in the round of 64, but dropped to Torres in three sets, 6-4, 3-6, 6-3. Aubets will play in the 11:30 consolation matches Friday and will compete against CSUN’s Mari Taslagyan.

Mulbarger also enjoyed a round of 128 bye, and couldn’t get past Gabby Andrews (UCLA) in the round of 64, falling 6-3, 6-2. Mulbarger and USD’s Sophia Chow will face off at 11:30 a.m. in Friday’s consolation round.

Diaz had a tough go against Siobhan Anderson (LMU) in the round of 128, and ultimately dropped a 6-4, 6-1 decision. She joins her teammates in the singles consolation rounds Friday at 11:30 a.m. and is set to play UCI’s Gillian Parker.

Acero also faced a challenging duel against UCLA’s Kristin Wiley in the round of 64, falling 6-2, 6-2 in the match. Acero is scheduled to play CSUF’s Taylor Valenzuela in an 11:30 a.m. consolation match on Friday.

Moinard was also unable to overcome her challenger, Monika Van de Vondel (CSUN), in the doubles round of 128 and dropped a 7-6, 6-3 decision. She is set to take on Masako Makiba of CSUF tomorrow at 11:30 a.m. in consolation play.

Tomorrow’s action is set to begin with doubles play at 9 a.m. at the Barnes Tennis Center in Point Loma. Singles rounds will immediately follow. Complete results from each day of the Southwest Regional will be posted on GoAztecs.com.

2017 ITA Southwest Regional

Barnes Tennis Center

Oct. 19-23, 2017

Doubles

Round of 64

Moinard/Smith (SDSU) def. Amiri/Chen (UCI) – 8-1

Casasampere/Gulin.(LBSU) def. Buth/Diaz (SDSU) – 9-7

Singles

Round of 128

Nnena Nadozie (SDSU) def. Luxizi Meng (CSUF) – 6-2, 6-3

Siobhan Anderson (LMU) def. Paola Diaz (SDSU) – 6-4, 6-1

Kristin Wiley (UCLA) def. Berta Acero (SDSU) – 6-2, 6-2

Monika Van de Vondel (CSUN) def. Jenny Moinard (SDSU) – 7-6, 6-3

Round of 64

Constance Branstine (USC) def. Nnena Nadozie (SDSU) – 6-4, 7-6

Maria Torres (USD) def. Magda Aubets (SDSU) – 6-4, 3-6, 6-3

Day one results