’Dogs beat Broncos in 4-3 thriller

Sunday, April 18

Fresno, Calif.

2:30 p.m. PT

Fresno State

Boise State

Photo by: FRESNO STATE BRAND STRATEGY AND MARKETING - PHOTO BY CARY EDMONDSON

’Dogs beat Broncos in 4-3 thriller

4/18/2021 7:25:00 PM | Women's Tennis

Box Score Match Point: Piferi clinches match (Video)

Fresno State’s Carolina Piferi clinched the Bulldogs’ thrilling 4-3 victory over Boise State by rallying to win in three sets at No. 4 singles.

By: Stephen Trembley / Director of New Media

FRESNO, Calif. – The Fresno State women's tennis team rallied to defeat the Boise State Broncos 4-3 on Sunday afternoon at the Spalding G. Wathen Tennis Center.

Fresno State (13-5, 6-2 Mountain West) is now in a tie with just UNLV, who the Bulldogs beat 4-3 in San Diego earlier this season, for second place in the conference standings – just a match and a half back of undefeated San Jose State.

After dropping the team doubles point, Fresno State turned to Dalia Ahmed to quickly dispatch Boise State's Joana Baptista in straight sets (6-1, 6-1) at No. 1 singles and the squads traded points until Carolina Piferi defeated the Broncos' Vanessa Timm in three sets (5-7, 6-2, 6-1) at No. 4 singles to clinch the match for the Bulldogs

Ella Husrefovic (No. 6) and A.C. Hummel (No. 5) also earned key points in straight sets in singles for Fresno State, who remains in contention for the MW regular season championship entering the final weekend of league play.

Next up: Fresno State will travel to Reno for two neutral site matches, which includes a contest on Friday against Air Force and then the regular season finale on Saturday versus New Mexico.

Quote
Denise Dy, Fresno State head coach
"I couldn't be more proud of our team today. We fought until the very end and played to win. Boise State came out firing on all cylinders in doubles and showed grit throughout the whole match. It could have gone either way. Thank you to all the fans and supporters who stayed for the four-hour marathon. It is great finishing the last home weekend 2-0, and we're looking forward to finishing up our last two dual matches at Nevada next weekend."

Dalia Ahmed, Fresno State (No. 1 doubles and singles)
"I am so glad we got the win today. It was an important win for us and we kind of killed it at the end. I am also personally very happy with my results this season."

Carolina Piferi, Fresno State (No. 2 doubles and No. 4 singles)
"I'm really happy for my win today as it's my first clinch and it's the best for me so far. Our team's energy was amazing and they really helped me win the match. You can always count on their support."

Bulldog Bones

Fresno State has now won nine of its last 11 matches (12 of 15).
Fresno State's Dalia Ahmed remained undefeated in singles during MW play with a perfect 6-0 record – with all six victories coming at No. 1 singles.
Fresno State improved to 7-1 in home matches this season.
Fresno State is now in a tie second place with just UNLV for second place in the MW standings - just a match and a half back of current leader undefeated San Jose State.
In singles, Fresno State is now 63-31 overall (25-12 in Mountain West play) this season, which includes a 12-4 record at No. 1 singles.
In doubles, Fresno State is now 28-13 overall this season, which includes a 13-3 record at No. 1 doubles.

Box Score
Fresno State 4, Boise State 3
April 18, 2021 at Fresno, Calif. (Spalding G. Wathen Tennis Center)

Doubles competition
1. Dalia Ahmed / Deniza Marcinkevica (FS) def. Joana Baptista / Shauna Heffernan (BSU) 6-3
2. Holly Stewart / Pauline Ernstberger (BSU) def. Carlotta Nonnis Marzano / Carolina Piferi (FS) 6-4
3. Ana Conde Vendrell / Nicole Discenza (BSU) def. Cristina Flaquer / A.C. Hummel (FS) 6-2

Singles completion
1. Dalia Ahmed (FS) def. Joana Baptista (BSU) 6-1, 6-1
2. Pauline Ernstberger (BSU) def. Cristina Flaquer (FS) 6-2, 6-1
3. Holly Stewart (BSU) def. Deniza Marcinkevica (FS) 6-1, 7-5
4. Carolina Piferi (FS) def. Vanessa Timm (BSU) 5-7, 6-1, 6-2
5. A.C. Hummel (FS) def. Shauna Heffernan (BSU) 6-1, 7-6 [7-4]
6. Ella Husrefovic (FS) def. Nicole Discenza (BSU) 6-2, 6-1

Match Notes:
Boise State: 11-5, 5-3 MW
Fresno State: 13-5, 6-2 MW
Order of finish: Doubles (3,1,2); Singles (1,3,6,2,5,4)

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