April 18, 2008

Moraga, Calif. - The seventh seeded Gonzaga University women's tennis team opened play at the West Coast Conference Championship Friday dropping a 4-0 decision to second seeded and nationally ranked Saint Mary's College in Moraga, Calif.

The loss snapped a five match win streak for the Bulldogs, who fell to 9-13. With the victory, the No. 49 Gaels improved to 15-7.

SMC earned an early point thanks to taking two doubles matches. At No. 1, Jessica Hoath and Nienke Strijibs defeated Emily Anderson and Aglaya Kokurina 8-0. The Gaels secured the point with a 8-2 victory at No. 3 as Marah Calvo and Claire Soper downed Sydney Lederhouse and Clare Dodge.

In singles play, Saint Mary's earned victories at the No. 3, 4 and 5 spots to seal the victory. Rika Mehndiratta fell at No. 3 to Soper, 6-0, 6-0 before Lederhouse dropped a 6-2, 6-1 decision to Stef Ordoveza at No. 5. The Gaels sealed the victory at No. 4 as Calvo posted a 6-1, 6-0 victory over Clare Dodge.

The Bulldogs will continue play Saturday in the consolation bracket. They will face the winner of Friday's late match between No. 3 Loyola Marymount University and No. 6 University of San Francisco.

SMC 4, GU 0
Doubles
   1. Hoath/Strijbis (SMC) def. Anderson/Kokurina(GON), 8-0
   2. Calvo/Ordoveza (SMC) vs. Mehndiratta/Farmer, 7-2 DNF
   3. Poorta/Soper (SMC) def. Lederhouse/Dodge (GON), 8-2
Order of Finish: 1, 3
Singles
   1. Jessica Hoath (SMC) vs. Aglaya Kokurina (GON), 6-4, 0-0 DNF
   2. Alex Poorta (SMC) vs. Emily Anderson (GON), 6-3, 2-1 DNF
   3. Claire Soper (SMC) def. Rika Mehndiratta (GON), 6-0, 6-0
   4. Marah Calvo (SMC) def. Clare Dodge (GON), 6-1, 6-0
   5. Stef Ordoveza (SMC) def. Sydney Lederhouse(GON), 6-2, 6-1
   6. Erin Young (SMC) vs. Danielle Farmer (GON), 6-1, 4-1 DNF
Order of Finish: 3, 5, 4