March 31, 2008

Northern Colorado's women's tennis team closed its 2008 home schedule Monday, March 31, with a 6-1 defeat to Big Sky team Sacramento State.

The Hornets entered the match after having already clinched the regular-season conference championship, and they continued their run Monday.

The Bears fell to 4-11 on the season and 1-5 in the Big Sky with the loss. Sacramento State improved to 16-4 and 8-0 in the Big Sky.

"Today we competed well, even though the scores may not indicate so," Northern Colorado coach Brenda Vlasak said. "The team really stepped up to the challenge and fought hard. No. 1 doubles really played well and stayed loose throughout the match."

In that No. 1 doubles match, Northern Colorado's Tabatha Knop teamed with Manuela Santos to get an 8-4 victory against Sacramento State's top team of Melissa Valenzuela and Joyce Martinez.

Knop then continued her strong day by getting a No. 1 singles victory against Valenzuela, 5-7, 6-3, 6-1.

The Bears will next play at noon on Friday, April 4, at Denver.

RESULTS
Sacramento State 6, Northern Colorado 1
Doubles
1. Tabatha Knop/Manuela Santos (UNC) def. Melissa Valenzuela/Joyce Martinez, 8-4
2. Luba Schifris/Karina Jarlkaganova (SSU) def. Karen Groll/Jodi Ciarvella, 8-3
3. Aileen Tsan/Anastassia Lyssenko (SSU) def. Hannah LaForest/Tiffany Knop, 8-3

Singles
1. Tabatha Knop (UNC) def. Valenzuela, 5-7 6-3 6-1
2. Schifris (SSU) def. Santos, 6-2 3-6 6-1
3. Lyssenko (SSU) def. Tiffany Knop, 6-3 6-3
4. Jarlkagonova (SSU) def. Groll, 6-1 6-1
5. Martinez (SSU) def. Xavier, 6-1 6-0
6. Tsan (SSU) def. Ciarvella 6-2 6-2