SANTA CLARA, Calif. – In its second match in three days, the Santa Clara women's tennis team lost in a flurry of close matches, falling to the University of San Diego 4-1 on Saturday in the Broncos' West Coast Conference opener.
In doubles play, the Broncos (3-4, 0-1) fell in two very tight contests. The Toreros pair of Shani Blecher and Marta Stojanovic beat out the duo of Chelby Cooke and Madison Clarke and then Drew Spinosa and Dana Oppinger knocked out Nabila Farah and Daniella Silva 7-6(3) to secure the San Diego (4-4, 2-0) doubles point.
"It was a tough match – really close," said head coach Ben Cabell. "San Diego is a really good team and was a little bit better than us today, but we're happy with the way we competed."
On the singles side, Delphine Rouvillois, who has battled to return from injury, defeated Blecher 6-3, 6-2.
"It was great to have a full squad," Cabell said. "(It's the) first time we had a full lineup going today and we were very pleased with that."
The other Broncos did not fare as well in their matches, though they were mostly decided by a single break or in three-set battles.
"It was just a good tennis match overall, and we think when we play them again we'll be able to get them next time," Cabell said.
Santa Clara returns home to take on Cal Poly next Saturday at 2 p.m. in the Degheri Tennis Center.
