Fresno State Athletics
No. 16 Bulldogs Look to Defend WAC Title
4/25/2007 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
April 25, 2007
FRESNO, Calif. - The 16th-ranked Fresno State women's tennis team will look to capture its sixth straight WAC title this weekend in Boise, Idaho. The 'Dogs have won eight straight and own a 17-3 overall record. The 'Dogs play their first round match at 2:30 p.m. PST against either San Jose State or Louisiana Tech. Stay tuned to gobulldogs.com for live updates throughout the tournament.
Bulldogs Finish Season Strong
The Bulldogs ended the year on a eight-match winning streak, defeating their last four opponents by the score of 7-0. Sophomore Melanie Gloria owns a 16-match winning streak, and both freshmen Renata Kucerkova and Anastasia Petukhova have won nine straight, respectively. The `Dogs also finished the regular season by winning the doubles point in 14 consecutive contests.
`Dogs Go 12-0 at Home
The Bulldogs finished the regular season with an unblemished 12-0 record at home in the Wathen Tennis Center. It is the fifth time in program history that the team has finished with a perfect record at home. Last season, the `Dogs were 10-1 at home and 9-2 in 2005. But, this season the `Dogs played tough all year, including two close wins over South Florida and TCU. In 10 seasons, the program is 96-10 in the Wathen Tennis Center since it opened in 1998.
Gloria Makes History With No. 2 National Ranking
Gloria is currently ranked No. 3 in the ITA rankings, but she made history when becoming the highest-ranked player (No. 2) in Fresno State history on Feb. 21. Neither a men's nor a women's tennis player was ranked higher than No. 3 nationally until Gloria attained the feat more than two months ago. Gloria continues to be dominant playing at the No. 1 spot in singles for the Bulldogs. She is 32-4 overall and 18-1 in dual matches. During her current 16-match winning streak, 15 victories came in straight sets.
Kucerkova, Petukhova and Rowe Also Earn National Rankings
Kucerkova and Petukhova are also in the ITA rankings for Fresno State. Kucerkova has been in the rankings since the preseason and is currently ranked No. 45. Her highest ranking came on April 3 when she achieved a No. 41 ranking. Petukhova entered the rankings on Feb. 21 at No. 70 and is now ranked No. 74. As a doubles tandem, they are 12-4 overall and 9-4 in dual matches. Gloria and sophomore Tinesta Rowe own the best doubles ranking on the team at No. 35. Gloria and Rowe have been solid playing at the No. 1 spot, going 11-3 during dual matches.
Best of the Best
Head coach Simon Thibodeau has proven to be one of the best coaches in the nation. Thibodeau took over the program in 2004 and has since led the Bulldogs to the NCAA Round of 16 on two occasions. The `Dogs have won the WAC title in each of Thibodeau's three seasons as well. Under Thibodeau, four women have reached national finals. Jelena Pandzic reached the NCAA singles final in 2004 and Gloria advanced to the All-American final last fall. In doubles, Lucia Sainz and Katharina Winterhalter reached both the All-American and the NCAA final during the 2005-06 season.
