Match Photo GalleryTURLOCK — Utilizing its team depth, the Stanislaus State women's tennis team rolled to an 8-1 win over visiting Dixie State on a sunny, but breezy, Saturday afternoon at the Stan State Tennis Courts.
The Warriors improved to 3-0 this spring — the best start for the program since its reinstatement to begin play in 2008. The team's previous best start was 4-1 in 2012, which included a loss to Division I Pacific. Even the great NCAA tournament qualifying 10-3 team of 2009 started the year 2-2 before a seven-match winning streak.
All three Stan State wins thus far were against Pacific West teams (Dominican, Holy Names and Dixie State).
On Saturday against Dixie State, the Warriors opened their spring home schedule with three quick wins in doubles competition, sweeping through with 8-6, 8-3 and 8-0 scores. The battle was between the top double duos but
Jaella Conway and
Cassidy Ferrell prevailed, 8-6. At No. 3 doubles,
Ebone Qualls and
Analyssa Tallas blanked their opponents, 8-0.
With depth on the roster, head coach
Verek Visaraga was able to get Stan State to come away with relatively easy wins at No. 3 through No. 6 singles matches on the day. The Warriors only gave up a total of six games in those four match-ups.
Qualls shout-out her opponent Samantha Yacano in straight sets with Conway,
Lamella Belgica and Tallas all winning in two sets as well.
At No. 1 singles,
J'Ana Diamond held-off a Karolin Kukaras late rally with a 10-7 super-tiebreaker win for the eighth point — by then, the team victory was already locked up with the first six points.
The depth, created by the additions of Conway, Ferrell and Belgica, was evident in Tallas who Visaraga had the luxury of playing at No. 6. Tallas was mainly a No. 3 singles player last season.
Next weekend, the Warriors will have stiff competition on the road in Southern California with matches at Azusa Pacific (Friday), Cal State L.A. (Saturday) and Cal State Northridge (Sunday).Stanislaus State 8, Dixie State 1 | Singles competition |
| 1. J'Ana Diamond (STAN) def. Kukaras, Karolin (DX) 6-2, 5-7, 10-7 |
| 2. Hancock, Lacey (DX) def. Cassidy Ferrell (STAN) 2-6, 6-2, 10-6 |
| 3. Jaella Conway (STAN) def. Hartle, Laura (DX) 6-0, 6-2 |
| 4. Lamella Belgica (STAN) def. Fosdick, Jenna (DX) 6-2, 6-0 |
| 5. Ebone Qualls (STAN) def. Yacano, Samantha (DX) 6-0, 6-0 |
| 6. Analyssa Tallas (STAN) def. Tarver, Kaylee (DX) 6-2, 6-0 |
| Match Notes |
| Dixie State 2-3 |
| Stanislaus State 3-0 |
| T-3:32 A-22 |
