March 26, 2006

Santa Clara, Calif. - After rain cancelled the first two matches of the week for the Santa Clara women's tennis team, they finally got their chance to take to the court this morning, posting a decisive 6-1 victory over Eastern Washington at the Degheri Tennis Center.

With the win, Santa Clara improves to 6-8 on the year and will return to action on Tuesday, April 4 in a contest against UC Santa Cruz at the Degheri Tennis Center. Game time is set for 3 p.m.

"Overall it was a good effort by the team. It had been a while since we played a match and we were a little rust, but we competed hard," said head coach Damon Coupe. "We knew what we had to do out on the court and it was a great job by the team, just settling in and staying focused. I'm very proud of the team and it's a good win at home."

Santa Clara got off to a blazing start in the match, bolting to a 1-0 lead after sweeping all three doubles contests. At the No. 1 position, Casey Knutson teamed up with Kelly Leathers to defeat Kasey Knox and Sayaka Yoshimoto 9-8, while Erika Barnes and Stephanie Galainena took out Marie Carroll and Iliana Petrova 8-2 on Court 2. Kim Daniel and Myra Davoudi completed the sweep after beating Rachel Berger and Amanda Manhovits 8-4 at the No. 3 spot.

The Broncos continued to roll in singles play, taking five of six singles contests to account for the final margin. Leathers down Yoshimoto 6-1, 6-1 at the No. 1 position, while Knutson defeated Knox 6-3, 6-3 at the No. 2 spot. On Court 4, Daniel had an easy time with Iliana Petrova, winning 6-0, 6-3 and Barnes gutted out a 6-4, 6-4 triumph over Manhovits at the No. 5 spot. Davoudi completed Santa Clara's strong play in singles with a 6-2, 6-1 victory over Kysten Dolack at the No. 6 position.

The Eagles lone point came from Berger, with her 6-3, 6-3 victory over Galainena on Court 3.

Santa Clara 6, Eastern Washington 1
Doubles
1. Casey Knutson/Kelly Leathers (SCU) def. Kasey Knox/Sayaka Yoshimoto (EWU), 9-8
2. Erika Barnes/Stephanie Galainena (SCU) def. Marie Carroll/Iliana Petrova (EWU), 8-2
3. Kim Daniel/Myra Davoudi (SCU) def. Rachel Berger/Amanda Manhovits (EWU), 8-4

Singles
1. Kelly Leathers (SCU) def. Sayaka Yoshimoto (EWU), 6-1, 6-1
2. Casey Knutson (SCU) def. Kasey Knox (EWU), 6-3, 6-3
3. Rachel Berger (EWU) def. Stephanie Galainena (SCU), 6-3, 6-3
4. Kim Daniel (SCU) def. Iliana Pettrova (EWU), 6-0, 6-4
5. Erika Barnes (SCU) def. Amanda Manhovits (EWU), 6-4, 6-4
6. Myra Davoudi (SCU) def. Kyrsten Dolack (EWU), 6-2, 6-1