Fresno State Athletics
`Dogs to Host the Gaels
2/20/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
Feb. 20, 2009
Mother Nature finally appears to be cooperating for the Fresno State women's tennis home opener this Saturday when the Bulldogs host Saint Mary's at 11 a.m. at the Spalding G. Wathen Tennis Center.
The Bulldogs were originally scheduled to open the dual season at home with the Gaels on Jan. 24, but the match was canceled due to rain. Fresno State also had its second attempt for a home opener postponed when Rice canceled its Feb. 7 match with the Bulldogs because of a high probability of rain.
Saint Mary's is 2-2 and ranked 58th in the nation. The Gaels have one singles player ranked in the Top 50 - Alexandra Poorta at No. 42. She is also ranked 42nd in doubles with her partner Claire Soper.
The Bulldogs and Gaels have met seven times with the Bulldogs winning all seven matches. The last meeting between the schools was April 12, 2008, and Fresno State won 6-1.
The Bulldogs are 2-3 this year and are ranked No. 15. Fresno State has maintained a Top 15 ranking since the first team rankings were released on Jan. 6. Recently Bulldog duo Anastasia Petukhova and Renata Kucerkova received the top doubles ranking in the nation. The pair has won 16 straight matches and hasn't lost since October.
The Bulldogs have another doubles pair ranked in the Top 15 in Melanie Gloria and Tinesta Rowe at No. 14. Fresno State also has three ranked singles players -- Gloria (No. 17), Petukhova (No. 21) and Kucerkova (No. 79).
After the match with Saint Mary's, the Bulldogs will next travel to UCLA on Feb. 26 at 11 a.m., then followed by a home match against Pacific on Feb. 28 at 5:30 p.m. "Join the State - Fresno State" -- The Bulldogs travel to UCLA to face the Bruins on Feb. 26 at 11 a.m., before returning home to face the Pacific Tigers on Feb. 28 at 5:30 p.m. at the Spalding G. Wathen Tennis Center. Follow the 'Dogs throughout the season on www.gobulldogs.com.
Players Mentioned
