April 5, 2008

Spokane, Wash. - Emily Anderson posted a strong comeback at the No. 3 position as the Gonzaga University women's tennis defeated West Coast Conference rival Santa Clara University 5-2 Friday evening at the Spokane Racquet Club.

The victory was the third straight for the Zags, who improved their record to 7-11 and 1-3 against West Coast foe. Santa Clara fell to 5-11 with the loss.

Anderson earned the No. 3 victory for the Bulldogs in three sets. The senior dropped the opening set and was down 2-5 before rallying to earn a 3-6, 7-6 (1), 6-0 victory. Aglaya Kokurina continued post a strong spring as the junior posted a straight set victory over Stephanie Galainena at No. 1, 6-2, 6-2. Clare Dodge earned a win at No. 5 as she defeated Ashley Pane 6-3, 6-3, before Danielle Farmer posted a 6-5, 7-5 win over the Broncos' Samantha Georgino at No. 6. Rika Mehndiratta dropped a 6-1, 1-6, 7-5 decision at No. 2 to Myra Davoudi, while Sydney Lederhouse fell in straight sets to Carmen Pham 6-1, 6-0 at No. 4.

Gonzaga earned the doubles point, taking the No. 1 and 3 spots. Anderson and Kokurina joined forces for GU at No. 1 to post a hard fought 9-8 (5) victory over Galainena and Pane. At No. 3, Lederhouse and Dodge battled past Pham and Moore, while Farmer and Mehndiratta dropped an 8-6 decision to McBride and Davoudi at No. 2.

The Bulldogs will hit the courts again Saturday as they face Lewis-Clark State College at the SRC.

Doubles:
Anderson/Kokurina def Galainena/Pane - 9-8(5)
McBride/Davoudi def Farmer/Mehndiratta - 8-6
Lederhouse/Dodge def Pham/Moore - 8-4







Order of finish:
3, 2, 1
Singles
Kokurina def Galainena - 6-2, 6-2
Davoudi def Mehndiratta - 6-1, 1-6, 7-5
Anderson def McBride - 3-6, 7-6(1), 6-0
Pham def Lederhouse - 6-2, 6-0
Dodge def Pane - 6-3, 6-3
Farmer def Georgino - 6-3, 7-5
Order of finish:
1, 4, 2, 3, 5, 6