For the first time in three years, the Long Beach State women’s tennis team lost a regular-season Big West Conference match Saturday at the Rhodes Tennis Center.
LBSU’s had won 31 consecutive conference matches in regular season play.
The 49ers (8-2, 4-1 Big West) also had their eight-match winning streak this year come to an end as LBSU fell to UC Santa Barbara, 4-3, in a close match.
LBSU assistant coach Hannah Grady said the loss had nothing to do with fatigue, despite the 49ers’ trip Friday to play San Diego State.
“It’s tough to play two matches in a row, but everyone does it,” Grady said.
49ers junior Anais Dallara was consistent in her singles match, winning both sets by 6-3 scores against Natalia Lozano at No. 1.
LBSU senior Deborah Armstrong outlasted Sofia Novak in a three-set duel, 6-4, 2-6, 6-2.
The most surprising loss came at No. 6. Despite her strong play all season, junior Rachel Manasse lost to Kiersten Meehan, 3-6, 6-2, 6-3.
Sophomore Jaklin Alawi also suffered a tough defeat, falling to UCSB’s Jill Damion, 3-6, 7-5, 6-4 at the No. 2 spot.
LBSU sophomore Sarah Cantlay lost at No. 4 play against Jordan Dockendorf, 7-5, 6-2. Meanwhile at No. 5, classmate Anna Jeczmionka also lost in two sets, both 6-2, against Paola Cos.
On the bright side, The Beach swept the doubles matches.
Dallara and Armstrong were victorious against Lozano and Dockendorf at No. 1 doubles play, 8-7. The No. 2 duo of Alawi and Manasse shut out Damion and Meehan, 8-0. Junior Julie Luzar and Cantlay beat out Cos and Novak at the No. 3 slot, 8-5.
LBSU’s next match is against 44th-ranked Boston College at 1 p.m. next Friday at the Rhodes Tennis Center.
Disclaimer: The Daily 49er is not responsible for Postings made on www.daily49er.wpengine.com. Persons commenting are solely responsible for Postings made on this website. Persons commenting agree to the Terms of Use of the website. If Postings do not abide by the Rules of Conduct or Posting Regulations as listed in the Postings Policy, the Daily 49er has all rights to delete Postings as it deems necessary. The Daily 49er strongly advises individuals to not abuse their First Amendment rights, and to avoid language suggestive of hate speech. This site also encourages users to make Postings relevant to the article or other Postings.
