Colorado State University Athletics
Women's Tennis Defeats UTEP, Falls to North Texas
3/1/2004 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
March 1, 2004/El Paso, Texas - The Colorado State women?s tennis team played two matches on Sunday in El Paso, Texas, defeating UTEP, 4-2, and dropping a very close match to North Texas, 4-3. The Rams were originally scheduled to face UTEP on Saturday, but due to inclement weather the Rams were forced to play two matches the following day. CSU went 1-2 over the weekend, moving them to 4-5 on the season in dual match play.
After coming off a tough loss to New Mexico State, 5-2, the Rams came back strong by defeating UTEP. Colorado State won 3-of-6 singles matches, and 2-of-3 doubles matches to earn the doubles point. The Rams were led at the No. 1 position by junior Dasha Zhurin, who defeated Marina Rezar 6-2, 6-1. Freshman Emily Kirchem and junior Tatyana Ugorich also had victories for the Rams. Kirchem defeated Teodora Spirta at the No. 2 spot in straight sets 6-3, 6-1. Tatyana extended her win streak to six in a row, after defeating Danielle King 6-3, 6-3.
In double play, the Rams earned the point by defeating UTEP in 2-of-3 matches. The duo of Dasha Zhurin and Emily Kirchem defeated Marina Rezar and Katherine Palider, 8-6. The team of Carla Pallares and Jasmin Singh defeated Teodora Spirta and Adriana Boykova, 8-6.
The Rams had little time to celebrate their victory, and were right back at it against North Texas. CSU lost a hard-fought match against the Mean Green of North Texas, 4-3. The Rams won 3-of-6 singles matches, but lost the deciding point in doubles.
Colorado State was led by Dasha Zhurin at the No. 1 position, who defeated Krysta Lee in straight sets 7-6, 6-2. Zhurin finished the weekend with a 3-0 singles record at the No. 1 spot, and has established herself as one of the top players in the region. Emily Kirchem defeated Kelli Rayer 5-7, 6-1, 6-1. Kirchem finished the weekend 2-1 at the No. 2 position, and is now 7-2 in dual match play for the year. Freshman Charity Malone also played well, defeating Ashley Touche 5-7, 6-1, 7-6 (2).
North Texas slid by the Rams by winning 2-of-3 doubles matches to steal the point. The team of Tatyana Ugorich and Alexandra Paganetti had the closest match, losing to Megan Schmulbach and Holly Lee, 8-6.
Head Coach Jon Messick was proud with his team?s effort. ?It was unusually tough playing two matches in one day,? Messick said. ?I was proud of the way our team fought hard and almost won them both.?
The Colorado State Rams will have a couple weeks off from competition, before they head to Honolulu, Hawaii, on March 17, to face the University of Hawaii. The following day the CSU will take on Hawaii Pacific. March 21 will be the first home match for the Rams, when they face Drake. For tennis news and results check out www.csurams.com .
