NICOLE ALBERTSON
Staff Editor
The women’s tennis team powered through the competition Saturday as they opened the season defeating Cal Poly 7-0.
The Waves dominated the court, winning 2-1 in doubles and 7-0 in singles, despite No.-1 player Bianca Dulgheru cheering from the sidelines unable to compete because of an injured wrist.
“She has been resting for five days now, so hopefully she will be back by this weekend,” Head Coach Gualberto Escudero said.
Newcomer from Spain Katia Sabateovera, “kept the lineup strong” said Escudero as Sabateovera stepped in and played the No.-2 position. Even though the freshman lost the first set, she hung on strong and came back to win the second and third, Escudero said. Nearing the end of her match, Sabateovera proved her strength and sent her opponent chasing after power-house hits finishing the last set 6-4.
Junior Sylvia Kosakowski battled for her ultimate win when she fell behind in the second set. “She had to come back in the second,” Escudero said. But she sent the competition home when she won the second set and ended the match 7-6.
Senior Eva Dickes dominated the No. 5 court winning both sets in her singles match 6-1 and 6-0 and teaming up with Kosakowski as a conquering double team 8-5.
“She is so efficient,” said Escudero. “She gets the job done.”
Freshman Jillian Braverman also came out with a win Saturday but not without a struggle. After winning the first set 6-2, the court was paused when Braverman needed to be stretched and massaged for cramping in her right leg. Braverman triumphed in the end and defeated her opponent 7-6.
“She is really in your face,” Escudero said of Braverman. “She is going to be exciting to watch all year. She is one of those people that you would rather have on your team than be against.”
Double match-ups included Kosakowski and Dickes winning 8-5, Braverman and Caroline Raba losing 9-7 and Sabateovera and freshman Anete Bandere scoring the deciding points.
Sabateovera and Bandere fought together as the tie-breaking doubles team. The duo stepped up to the net and claimed victory over Cal Poly’s Diane Filip and Brittany Blalock.
The entire Waves team gathered on the neighboring courts to support and cheer on the finale of an exciting match. Sabateovera and Bandere concluded with a Pepperdine victory.
Kosakowski and Dickes will be returning as a double team in the next competition and will continue working together for the rest of the season. Pairs are still being tested and will soon be perfected as Bandere’s strength will be tried out with Braverman’s excitement and Raba’s determination.
“It was all very exciting,” Escudero said. “We knew they were going to fight us.” The women’s tennis team proved that a strong and difficult opponent makes for a harder battle but a sweeter victory.
Women’s tennis will be competing against two powerful teams this weekend. Hosting UC Irvine on Friday at 1:30 p.m. and then University of Southern California on Saturday, the team is looking forward to an exciting and challenging weekend.
01-25-2007