Fresno State Athletics
'Dogs Back at Home on Sunday Against Sacramento State
3/7/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
By Josh Mitchell
jomitchell@csufresno.edu
GoBulldogs.com
FRESNO, Calif.- The Fresno State women's tennis team will continue its four-match home stretch after a big weekend last week that saw them jump back into the ITA's 75, moving up to No. 62. The Bulldogs will host Sacramento State at 2 p.m., PT at the Fig Garden Swim & Tennis Clubin its first week back in the rankings.
Back in the Rankings
- After defeating then-No 44. Colorado, which was 8-1 on the year, the `Dogs put together a dominant 4-1 victory that moved them back into the ITA Top 75. On March 5, Fresno State came in at No. 62.
`Dogs Against Ranked Foes in 2015
- Fresno State has faced four ranked opponents this season, facing them in three dual matches. At the Cal Nike Winter Invitational, the Bulldogs faced then-No. 7 Cal and No. 46 Saint Mary's in a round robin format.
- In dual matches, the `Dogs are 1-2 against ranked foes, falling 4-0 to Saint Mary's in Berkeley at the ITA Kick-Off Weekend, defeating No. 64 Kansas State 5-2 on its home court and losing 5-2 at home to No. 39 Wichita State.
- Fresno State earned its second win over a Top 75 team, defeating No. 44 Colorado 4-1 on Feb. 28 in a neutral site match at Boise State.
In their next match, the `Dogs knocked-off No. 73 UC Santa Barbara in dominant fashion, 6-1. UCSB had previous defeated Saint Mary's which down the Bulldogs 4-0 during the second weekend of the season.
A Look at Sacramento State
- The Hornets are 5-6 on the year, defeating one ranked opponent on the year in then-No. 46 Long Beach State, 4-3 on their home court.
The win began a four-match stretch that will see Sacramento State face four ranked opponents (Long Beach State, Saint Mary's, UC Santa Barbara, Fresno State).
Last Time Out
- On March 5, Fresno dispatched a gutty UC Santa Barbara team 6-1. The Guachos entered the match ranked No. 73, but were unable to handle the depth of the Bulldogs.
Dominant Sisters
- While they may have lost an early season doubles match to No. 4 Denise Starr and Meagan Manasse of Cal by a 6-3 score, sisters Maiar and Rana Sherif Ahmedhave been otherwise dominant since joining each other on the court again. They have held nine of their 15 opponents to two points or less. The duo is riding a 12-match win streak and are 11-0 when playing at No. 1.
Perfect in Duals
- Junior Sophie Watts and freshmanMaiar Sherif Ahmed have not lost in singles play in dual matches this season, both posting 11-0 records. The two have moved back and forth in recent weeks in the No. 1 and No. 2 spots.
Spreading the Honors
- Three different he Bulldogs have claimed Mountain West Player of the Week honors. Junior Rana Sherif Ahmed won the first weekly honor during opening week of the season, while junior Sophie Wattsearned the accolade three weeks ago after defeating No. 49 Andrea Ka of San Francisco in straight sets, 6-2, 6-3.
- This week, Maiarwas the third to earn the weekly honor as she helped the team win both its conference opener and defeat then-No. 44 Colorado in a two-day span as she went 2-0 in both singles and doubles.
Six in a Row
- Fresno State had won six dual matches in a row, prior to its loss to Wichita State. It was the second-longest streak under third-year head coach Ryan Stotland,only behind last year's 12 consecutive duals. Individually, Maiar Sherif Ahmed and Sophie Wattswere undefeated during the win streak.
Family Bond
- Last season, the Bulldogs had twin sisters Anneka and Sophie Watts on its roster. This season they added another set of sisters. With Rana Sherif Ahmedalready on the squad, her younger sister Maiar decided to join her and play at Fresno State.
Up Next
- The Bulldogs will be back home on March 13 as they host San Jose State at 12 p.m., PT. The Spartans just entered the ITA rankings this week, coming in at No. 75.
