Colorado State University Athletics
Colorado State
Gonzaga
Ram tennis wins home opener in decisive fashion
3/1/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
FORT COLLINS, Colo. - The Colorado State women's tennis team defeated the Gonzaga Bulldogs 6-1 in its home opener at Miramont Lifestyle Fitness. The squad advances to 3-2 on the year.
The Rams (3-2, 0-0 MWC) swept doubles for the first time this season, earning a 1-0 start to the match. At No. 2 doubles, the sophomore tandem of Laura Neal and Anette Pohjalainen earned a decisive 8-3 victory to start doubles play. At the No. 1 position, senior Hilary Tyler and junior Lauren Strasburger earned a 9-7 win, clinching the point for the Rams. At the No. 3 spot, Sarah Seltsam and Kirsten Stople rounded out the sweep, picking up an 8-7 (3) win.
In singles, the Rams were forced to battle for each and every point. The squad was able to stay focused, earning five points in singles play.
At No. 3, Neal earned a 6-2, 6-0 win for the Rams, putting the Rams up 2-0. At No. 1 singles, Strasburger picked up her second consecutive win, earning a victory in straight sets over senior Emily Anderson. At the No. 4 spot, Pohjalainen quickly won her first set, but had a hard-fought second set. She managed to come out on top, winning the point 6-2, 7-6 (3), and clinching the match for the Rams.
With the match decided, the Rams and Bulldogs continued to battle.
Tyler faced a relentless opponent in junior Aglaya Kokurina. After winning her first set in a tie-breaker, Tyler dropped her second set before ultimately falling to Kokurina, 7-6 (6), 5-7, 1-0 (7).
Freshman Caitlin Fluegge remains unbeaten in her four matches this spring. She earned a 4-6, 6-1, 1-0 (5) win at the No. 6 spot. Fluegge is tied for a team-high 10 wins (with Greer Satherlie).
The match finished up with Satherlie picking up her 10th overall win of the season. She defeated Kristen MacWilliam at No. 5 singles.
"Gonzaga was a good team, they played well," said Head Coach Jon Messick. "The score was 6-1, but it was close.
"We focused when we needed to, on the important points. I am proud of our team; we stayed with it until we got it done."
Attendance: 72
The Rams return to the court Friday, as they take on the Iowa Hawkeyes at home. The match is set for 7:30 p.m. at Miramont Lifestyle Fitness in Fort Collins, Colo.
Saturday's Results:
Doubles:
No. 1: Strasburger/Tyler (CSU) def. Anderson/Kokurina (GU); 9-7
No. 2: Pohjalainen/Neal (CSU) def. Dodge/Farmer (GU); 8-3
No. 3: Seltsam/Stople (CSU) def. MacWilliam/Mehndiratta (GU); 8-7 (3)
Order of finish: 2, 1, 3
Singles:
No. 1: Lauren Strasburger (CSU) def. Emily Anderson (GU); 6-3, 6-4
No. 2: Aglaya Kokurina (GU) def. Hilary Tyler (CSU); 7-6 (6), 5-7, 1-0 (7)
No. 3: Laura Neal (CSU) def. Clare Dodge (GU); 6-2, 6-0
No. 4: Anette Pohjalainen (CSU) def. Rika Mehndiratta (GU); 6-2, 7-6 (3)
No. 5: Greer Satherlie (CSU) def. Kristen MacWilliam (GU); 6-4, 2-6, 1-0 (9)
No. 6: Caitlin Fluegge (CSU) def. Danielle Farmer (GU); 4-6, 6-1, 1-0 (5)
Order of finish: 3, 1, 4, 2, 6, 5
