JANE LEE
Assistant Sports Editor
Backed by a sweep of the three doubles matches and victories in five of the six singles matches, the No.-28 Pepperdine women’s tennis team (1-0) kicked off its season with a 6-1 victory over visiting Cal Poly (0-1) on Sunday at Malibu’s Ralphs-Straus Tennis Center.
“Our team was pretty solid during the game,” sophomore Bianca Dulgheru said. “It was the first of the season so everybody was very excited to compete and win.”
The Waves were led by sophomores Sylvia Kosakowski and Merve Asimigil, who defeated Cal Poly’s Samantha Waller and Danon Beatty 9-8.
“I was a little nervous going into my match just because it was the first match of the season, and I knew the girl I was playing [Beatty] from junior tennis, and knew she was good,” Kosakowski said. “I was also excited, along with my teammates, to start the season because we know we have a good chance at being in the top 15 this year, especially with no injuries on the team.”
Dulgheru and junior Eva Dickes easily defeated the Mustangs’ Sheila Lewis and Maria Malec, 8-1, while Pepperdine junior Lise Sissler and sophomore Jelena Jolich beat Carol Erickson and Amanda Varela, 8-6.
“Winning all three doubles gave us more confidence going into the singles matches,” Dulgheru said.
The confidence was present, as the Waves took five of the six matches in singles action with Dulgheru, Kosakowski, senior Natalie Braverman, Dickes and Asimigil all capturing victories.
“I think we all felt good on the court and gave our best,” Dulgheru said. “The most important thing is for all of us to stay healthy and be able to play throughout the season.”
The Waves are back in action Saturday when they travel to UC Irvine for an 11 a.m. match.
And while Kosakowski said she believes her team can rank in the top 15 this year, Dulgheri has hopes of reaching the top 10.
“It’s not easy, but if we are confident and give 100 percent both during practices and during the games, I’m sure we can reach our goal,” she said.
01-19-2006
