The Seattle University women’s tennis team showed its depth Saturday morning in winning a close match over Longwood University, 4-2, at the National Independent Tournament at the Orville Cox Tennis Center.
Starting in doubles, the team of Whitney Cheng (Seattle, Wash.) and Ariel Ohno (Kent, Wash.) defeated Mason Davis and Ashley Melson, 8-4, while Katrina Schwab (Spokane, Wash.) and Mikalea Peterson (Spokane, Wash.) posted an 8-1 win over Nasim Moadab and Jackie Esguerra to give SeattleU the doubles point.
For the second straight day, Schwab also earned a singles victory, earning a straight-set win over Melson (6-4, 6-0), and Cheng picked up a victory over Davis (6-3, 6-3). SeattleU was able to clinch the match when Aya Sugimoto (Poulsbo, Wash.) pulled out a three-set victory over Moadab in the number six singles position (7-5, 3-6, 6-2).
Audree Jenks (Albuquerque, N.M.) also went three sets in her match, but eventually fell to Laura Simon (6-3, 4-6, 6-2), while Ohno suffered a straight-set loss to Zsofia Jakab (6-4, 6-3). After her doubles match was stopped when SeattleU clinched the doubles point, Nicole Fleckenstein (Seattle, Wash.) went to a third set with Esguerra, but that match was also stopped after the Redhawks picked up the fourth point to clinch the contest.
Due to thunderstorms in the area, SeattleU and Texas-Pan American were only able to complete the doubles matches Saturday afternoon, with the Redhawks earning the doubles point after a couple of close victories. The two teams will face off in singles Sunday morning starting at 8 a.m. local time.
After completing its match with the Lady Broncs, Seattle University (5-7) will conclude the 2008-09 season Sunday by facing New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) in the final match of the tournament.
Seattle University 4, Longwood University 2
Singles
1. Laura Simon (LW) def. Audree Jenks (SU) 6-3, 4-6, 6-2
2. Zsofia Jakab (LW) def. Ariel Ohno (SU) 6-4, 6-3
3. Jackie Esguerra (LW) vs. Nicole Fleckenstein (SU) 7-6, 2-6, 4-3, unfinished
4. Whitney Cheng (SU) def. Mason Davis (LW) 6-3, 6-3
5. Katrina Schwab (SU) def. Ashley Melson (LW) 6-4, 6-0
6. Aya Sugimoto (SU) def. Nasim Moadab (LW) 7-5, 3-6, 6-2
Doubles (Seattle University wins doubles point
)
1. Jakab/Simon (LW) vs. Jenks/Fleckenstein (SU) 6-5, unfinished
2. Cheng/Ohno (SU) def. Davis/Melson (LW) 8-4
3. Schwab/Mikalea Peterson (SU) def. Moadab/Esguerra (LW) 8-1