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Source: goaztecs.com
Photo courtesy goaztecs.com
February 5, 2022 (Tucson) - The San Diego State women's tennis team suffered its first loss of the 2022 campaign Saturday, dropping a 4-2 decision at Arizona. In a battle of unbeaten teams, the Aztecs and Wildcats were on pace to split points on the six singles courts, with Arizona's point in doubles to open the match holding up as the deciding factor.
"We may have played our best tennis to this point in the season," San Diego State head coach Peter Mattera said. "Playing our first road match of the season, against a quality opponent, will make us better. I am proud of the way we competed and I look forward to getting back home for a pair of matches next week."
Arizona claimed the tightly contested doubles point. The first match off was on court two, where Kristen Prelle and Lexi Ryngler of Arizona defeated Nnena Nadozie and Alicia Melosch 6-2. The Aztecs drew even at No. 1 singles, when Bunyawi Thamchaiwat and Tamara Arnold were 6-2 winners over Midori Castillo-Meza and Salma Ziouti. Both Arnold, 4-0, and Thamchaiwat, 3-0, remain perfect in doubles play this season.
The Wildcats clinched the first point of the match when Parker Fry and Kayla Wilkins posted a 6-3 decision over Regina Pitts and Cécile Morin. This marked the first time in four matches this season that San Diego State did not claim the doubles point.
Although no singles match went to a third set, the cumulative result of the matches was nearly even. Of the six singles matches, the Wildcats won three, the Aztecs one two and were up a set on another court when the team match was clinched and play was halted. In total, Arizona won six singles sets and 48 total games, while San Diego State won five sets and 42 total games.
Arizona took a 2-0 team lead as Fry defeated Morin 6-0, 6-3,\ on court five. The Aztecs got on the board with a point at No. 6 singles. Melosch improved to 3-0 in singles play this season, allowing only three games to Prelle in a 6-2, 6-1 win.
The Aztecs and Wildcats exchanged singles wins to take the score to 3-2, with Arizona winning on court three when Ryngler defeated Nadozie 6-1, 6-1. SDSU closed the team gap to 3-2, at the top of the lineup. Thamchaiwat, the Aztec senior ranked 82nd nationally, remained perfect on the season with an easy win, 6-0, 6-2. The Aztec senior has a combined singles and doubles record of 6-0 this season.
Arizona clinched the team win with Ziouti claiming a 6-3, 6-0 victory against Arnold on court two.
Up Next
San Diego State returns home for a pair of matches against Big West opponents next week. On Friday, the Aztecs will play host to Long Beach State at 2 p.m. On Saturday, SDSU will entertain Cal Poly at noon. Both events are free and open to the public.
Women's Tennis: Arizona 4, San Diego State 2
Singles
1. No. 82 Bunyawi Thamchaiwat (SDSU) def. Kayla Wilkins (UA) – 6-0, 6-2
2. Salma Ziouti (UA) def. Tamara Arnold (SDSU) – 6-3, 6-0
3. Lexi Ryngler (UA) def. Nnena Nadozie (SDSU) – 6-1, 6-1
4. Regina Pitts (SDSU) vs. Midori Castillo-Meza (UA) – 6-3, 4-4, unfinished
5. Parker Fry (UA) def. Cécile Morin (SDSU) – 6-0, 6-3
6. Alicia Melosch (SDSU) def. Kirsten Prelle (UA) – 6-2, 6-1
Doubles
1. Bunyawi Thamchaiwat / Tamara Arnold (SDSU) def. Midori Castillo-Meza / Salma Ziouti (UA) 6-2
2. Kirsten Prelle / Lexi Ryngler (UA) def. Nnena Nadozie / Alicia Melosch (SDSU) – 6-2
3. Parker Fry / Kayla Wilkins (UA) def. Regina Pitts / Cécile Morin (SDSU) – 6-3
Order of Finish: Doubles (2, 1, 3); Singles (5, 6, 3, 1, 2)
Team Records: San Diego State (3-1), Arizona (3-0)
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