University of Oregon
California
No. 25 Women's Tennis Comes Inches Short, Falls at No. 24 Cal, 4-3
03/25/05 | Women's Tennis
BERKELEY, Calif. ? Trying to win its third consecutive match over a top-25 team, the University of Oregon women's tennis team fell inches short Friday, losing to No. 24 California, 4-3. The No. 25 Ducks (13-3, 2-2) won the doubles point for the 14th time this season, but lost a third-set heartbreaker that allowed the Golden Bears to clinch the match.
"We battled as well as we have all season today," Oregon head coach Nils Schyllander said. "Everyone of the team played their hearts out. Despite losing, I feel nothing but positive things. This team is playing excellent tennis and we are only going to get better."
One of the strengths of Oregon continues to be its doubles play, winning two of three matches against the Bears to take a 1-0 lead. No. 43 Daria Panova and Dominika Dieskova improved to 13-3 in duals and 18-6 overall with an 8-4 win over Cal's Suzi Babos and Marion Ravelojaona at No. 1. Seniors Ester Bak and Davina Mendiburu moved into a tie for first all-time for career doubles wins (34) with an easy 8-4 victory at the No. 3 spot.
Mendiburu and junior Jamie Marshall came away with both of Oregon's singles victories. Mendiburu defeated Monica Weisner, 6-1, 6-3 to improve to 11-5 in dual play.
The match came down to the No. 2 position, with Cal's Stephanie Kusano slipping past UO's No. 73 Dieskova, 7-5, 3-6, 6-4. Dieskova falls to 12-4 in duals.
Prior to defeating the Ducks, Cal was fresh off of an upset over No. 2 Northwestern.
The Ducks have the task of taking on reigning back-to-back national champ and No. 1-ranked Stanford tomorrow (Sat., 11 a.m.). Fans can follow the match via live scoring at www.gostanford.com.
#24 California 4, #25 Oregon 3
Berkeley, Calif.
March 25
Doubles
1. (43) Panova/Dieskova (UO) def. Babos/Ravelojaona (Cal) 8-4
2. Kusano/Shu (Cal) def. Powaska/Lekinska (UO) 8-6
3. Mendiburu/Bak (UO) def. Visico/Lee (Cal) 8-4
Singles
1. (4) Suzi Babos (Cal) def. Daria Panova (UO) 6-4, 6-3
2. Stephanie Kusano (Cal) def. (73) Dominika Dieskova (UO) 7-5, 3-6, 6-4
3. Davina Mendiburu (UO) def. Monica Wiesener (Cal) 6-1, 6-3
4. Marion Ravelojaona (Cal) def. Anna Powaska (UO) 6-3, 6-3
5. Jamie Marshall (UO) def. Jessica Shu (Cal) 6-1, 4-6, 6-3
6. Cristina Visico (Cal) def. Anna Leksinska (UO) 6-4, 6-0
Players Mentioned
