The Fresno State women̢۪s tennis team continued its dominance against the Western Athletic Conference competition as the team defeated Boise State 4-0 and won its sixth-straight WAC title on Saturday.
“We came out really strong in doubles and took the crowd out of it quickly,� head coach Simon Thibodeau said in a press statement. “We also started singles well and most importantly we finished out the match 4-0.�
Fresno State won the doubles point for the 16th consecutive match. The sophomore tandem of Melanie Gloria and Tinesta Rowe, ranked 35th nationally, started the doubles domination as they defeated the team of Laura Baum and Jana Mackova 8-3. Fresno State̢۪s team of Renata Kucerkova and Anastasia Petukhova clinched the doubles point in their 8-2 victory over Tatiana Ganzha and Polina Kokoulina.
Sophomore Melanie Gloria, ranked No. 3, won her 19th consecutive match as she eased past Bianca Jochimsen 6-0, 6-3.
Petukhova, playing in the No. 3 position, gave the Bulldogs a 2-0 lead in singles as she defeated Mackova 6-2, 6-2.
“My goal was to come out and play my best tennis,� Petukhova said in a press statement. “As a team, I think we are really playing great, but we want to improve even more.�
Junior Jacqueline Haskett clinched her match and the team̢۪s sixth-straight conference title with her 6-3, 6-3 victory Tiffany Coll. Haskett̢۪s victory extended her WAC tournament record to 5-0 in singles and 4-0 in doubles over the last three seasons.
Fresno State̢۪s victory extended the school̢۪s winning streak over conference opponents to 28 straight matches and improved their overall record to 20-3. With the addition of another WAC title, the team will now focus its attention on the upcoming NCAA tournament.
Fresno State, ranked No. 16th nationally, hopes to host first and second round matches of the NCAA tournament at the Wathen Tennis Center on May 12 and 13.
The tournament field and regional locations will be announced on the NCAA selection show on ESPNEWS Tuesday, May 1.
Fresno State also swept the WAC̢۪s women̢۪s tennis postseason awards. Kucerkova was named Freshman of the Year and Gloria won Player of the Year honors.
Head coach Simon Thibodeau won his second-straight and third overall coach of the year award.
