Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
California
Fresno State Upsets No. 5 Cal
3/21/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
March 21, 2009
FRESNO, Calif. - The hot streak continued for No. 18 Fresno State on Saturday, as the Bulldogs extended their winning streak to six matches, with a dramatic 4-3 victory over No. 5 California.
The win was the first victory over a Top 10 opponent for Fresno State this year.
California achieved the rare feat of winning the doubles point against the Bulldogs, but Fresno State rallied back in singles with four victories on courts one, two, three and five.
"I am very pleased with our six singles players," head coach Simon Thibodeau said. "It shows how dangerous of a team we are. We need to stay focused, we still have many matches remaining this year."
Freshman Laura Pola was the first to put Fresno State on the board with a 6-2, 6-4 win over Marion Ravelojaona.
No. 19 Melanie Gloria clinched the match for the Bulldogs, with a 7-6 (4), 6-3 victory over No. 17 Jana Juricova.
No. 28 Anastasia Petukhova picked up a victory for the Bulldogs, by defeating No. 21 Marina Cossou, 6-4, 6-4. No. 89 Renata Kucerkova knocked off 38th-ranked Claire Ilcinkas, 6-1, 6-4.
In doubles action, the 16th-ranked Fresno State tandem of Gloria and Tinesta Rowe recorded an 8-6 win over No. 9 Cossou and Ilcinkas.
The win brings Fresno State's record to 8-4 overall and 2-1 against the Pac-10.
Fresno State next travels to San Diego to face top-ranked Northwestern on a neutral court on March 27. The Bulldogs will face No. 40 Long Beach State the next day in Long Beach, Calif.. Fresno State returns home for Senior Day on April 11 for a triple-header against Louisiana Tech, Utah State and New Mexico State.
NCAA WOMEN'S TENNIS
March 21, 2009 - Berkley, Calif.
No. 18 Fresno State def. No. 5 California 4-3
Doubles (California wins doubles point)
1. Bobusic/Juricova (CAL) def. No. 1 Kucerkova/Petukhova (FSU) 8-5
2. No. 16 Gloria/Rowe (FSU) def. No. 9 Cossou/Ilcinkas (CAL) 8-6
3. Chang/Ravelojaona (CAL) def. Beatty/Pola (FSU) 8-3
Order of Completion: 3, 1*, 2
Singles
1. No. 19 Melanie Gloria (FSU) def. No. 17 Jana Juricova (CAL) 7-6(4), 6-3
2. No. 28 Anastasia Petukhova (FSU) def. No. 21 Marina Cossou (CAL) 6-4, 6-4
3. No. 89 Renata Kucerkova (FSU) def. No. 38 Claire Ilcinkas (CAL) 6-1, 6-4
4. No. 22 Bojana Bobusic (CAL) def. Tinesta Rowe (FSU) 7-6(4), 4-6, 7-5
5. Laura Pola (FSU) def. Marion Ravelojaona (CAL) 6-2, 6-4
6. Stephany Chang (CAL) def. Danon Beatty (FSU) 6-3, 4-6, 6-2
Order of Completion: 5, 2, 3, 6, 1*, 4
"Join the State - Fresno State" -- The Bulldogs return to the Spalding G. Wathen Tennis Center on April 11 for their WAC home opener, a tripleheader against Louisiana Tech, Utah State and New Mexico State. Follow the 'Dogs throughout the season on www.gobulldogs.com.
Players Mentioned
