Fresno State Athletics
Bulldogs Back in Berkeley for ITA Kick-Off Weekend
1/25/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
By Josh Mitchell
jomitchell@csufresno.edu
GoBulldogs.com
FRESNO, Calif. - The No. 72 Fresno State women's tennis team heads back to Berkeley, Calif., on Sunday to compete in the ITA Kick-Off Weekend after previously competing at the University of California last weekend in the Cal Nike Winter Invitational. The Bulldogs will face No. 45 Saint Mary's in the first round of the tournament at 1 p.m., PT at Hellman Tennis Complex.
Up Next
Depending on the Sunday's results, the Bulldogs will face either No. 6 Cal or Michigan State on Monday. The consolation match will begin at 10 a.m., with the winners squaring off at 1 p.m., for the right to advance to the ITA indoor championships.
Familiar Foe
The Bulldogs and Gaels faced one another last weekend in Berkeley at the Cal Nike Winter Invitational. On day two of the three-day event, the two teams squared off in singles competition with Saint Mary's winning four of the six matches. Fresno State's Rana Sherif Ahmed upset No. 123 Catherine Leduc in straight sets, 6-1, 6-4, and Tanya Murtagh defeated Mary Anne Jessup 6-2, 7-5 for the Bulldogs' two wins.
On the third day, the two teams competed in doubles. Sisters Maiar Sherif Ahmed and Rana Sherif Ahmed defeated Jaime Pawid and Mary Anne Jessup, 6-1, to earn the 'Dogs only win.
Scouting the Gaels
No. 45 Saint Mary's has three players that are ranked by the ITA; Danielle Flores (No. 32), Kareena Manji (tied for No. 94) and Catherine Leduc (No. 123).
MW Player of the Week
On Jan. 21, Rana Sherif Ahmed earned the second Mountain West Player of the Week honor of her career after going 4-2 at the Cal Nike Winter Invitational. The junior went 2-1 in both singles and doubles competition, falling to only players from Cal, which ranked in the Top 15. It was the first week that the conference gave out the award this season.
