University of Oregon
Pepperdine
Mendiburu Carries No. 24 Ducks Past Pepperdine
04/11/05 | Women's Tennis
MALIBU, Calif. ? A win is a win, and the No. 24 University of Oregon women's tennis team took advantage of a depleted Pepperdine squad Monday, squeaking out a 4-3 victory on the strength of senior Davina Mendiburu's three-set victory. The Ducks (15-7, 2-5) have now posted back-to-back 15-plus win seasons for the first time since 1992-93.
Uncharacteristically, the Ducks failed to grab the doubles point, falling at No. 1 and No. 2, and winning by default at No. 3. Oregon entered the match having won the doubles point in three of their last four matches.
In singles, No. 67 Dominika Dieskova won her 20th match of the season ? tying a career-high ? with a straight set win over Pepperdine's Sylvia Kosalowski at the No. 2 position.
After an Ester Bak win at No. 4, the match came down to Mendiburu, as she inched past Eva Dickes by the slimmest of margins, 6-2, 6-7, 7-5. No. 81 Mendiburu has won seven of her last nine dual matches and is tops on the team with 22 overall victories.
"It was an unbelievable effort by Davina today," Oregon head coach Nils Schyllander said. "I was very proud of the way she carried herself. This team has done a great job of closing out tight matches."
Pepperdine was forced to play with only five players due to illness and injuries.
The Ducks close out the regular season on Sunday, in Pullman, Wash., when they take on Washington State at noon. Oregon defeated the Cougars 6-1 in a non-conference affair earlier this season.
No. 24 Oregon 4, No. 42 Pepperdine 3
Malibu, Calif.
April 11
Doubles
1. Dickes/Dulgheru (PU) def. (54) Panova/Dieskova (UO) 9-8
2. Asimgil/Kosakowski (PU) def. Leksinska/Marshall (UO) 8-6
3. Oregon wins by default
Singles
1. (55) Bianca Dulgheru (PU) def. (49) Daria Panova (UO) 6-2, 6-3
2. (67) Dominika Dieskova (UO) def. Sylvia Kosakowski (PU) 6-2, 6-3
3. (81) Davina Mendiburu (UO) def. Eva Dickes (PU) 6-2, 6-7, 7-5
4. Merve Asimgil (PU) def. Jamie Marshall (UO) 6-0, 7-6
5. Ester Bak (UO) def. Vanessa Dunlap (PU) 6-1, 6-3
6. Oregon wins by default
Players Mentioned
