UCSB women’s tennis team was defeated by arch rival Cal Poly, 5-2, in its Big West Conference opener Thursday, marking the first time this season the team has dropped back-to-back matches.
The Gauchos (5-3 overall, 0-1 in the Big West) came out strong taking the doubles point after Jill Damion and Kiersten Meehan outlasted Jocelyn Davis and Ashley Pane winning 9-8 (5) at court No. 2. Paola Cos and Sofia Novak cruised to an 8-3 victory at court No. 3
The momentum did not carry over to singles as Santa Barbara struggled mightily on the day dropping five of six matches. Sofia Novak notched the only win for the Gauchos defeating Ashley Pane 6-0, 7-5. Jordan Dockendorf won the first set of her match at court No. 4, but Jennifer Cornea stormed back to win the match 5-7, 6-4, 6-4.
“It was an extremely disappointing day as our expectations were greater,” said head coach Peter Kirkwood. “We will now focus on the next task at hand which happens to be the nine-time defending Big West regular season champions Long Beach St.”
The Gauchos match against Long Beach State is Saturday, March 5 at the Robertson Gymnasium Courts beginning at noon.
