The UCSD women’s tennis team was recognized for excellence when Jasmin Dao was given the first California Collegiate Athletic Association Women’s Tennis Player of the Week honors this year. Dao, who currently plays on the No. 2 doubles team and is the No. 1 singles player for UCSD, is one of the team’s most talented players, helping to lead the Tritons to another strong finish in the CCAA.

Courtesy of UCSD Athletics

“”It’s a fun honor to have,”” Dao said. “”I always try to do my best, and it feels good to have it.””

Last year, Dao played No. 1 singles and No. 3 doubles.

“”She gained a lot of experience and now knows how tough playing No. 1 can be,”” said UCSD head coach Liz LaPlante. “”Jasmin is a lot stronger physically now and is playing with a lot of confidence. She is a great team player, gets along with everyone and works hard. As far as her doubles, she has improved a lot after last year. Her volleys and understanding of doubles are much better, and she and Tara [Siddiqui] are playing at No. 2 and will keep improving with more matches.””

Rebecca Drexler
Guardian

Thanks in part to the dominant play of Dao, UCSD is off to a perfect start (4-0) in 2003. In their season opener on Feb. 1, Dao and teammate Siddiqui defeated their opponents from CSU San Bernardino in an eight-game pro set 8-0. Later, Dao defeated the Coyotes’ co-captain, Heather Lehman, in straight sets (6-3, 6-0).

On Feb. 8, Dao and Siddiqui played against Claremont College in the most challenging match so far this season. After each winning one game, neither side led by more than one game until UCSD led 6-4; however, Claremont quickly came back to even the score at 8-8. The Tritons won the tie breaker, 7-5, to win the set. Dao later played Becca Dutton in what would become the longest game of the day, with Dao and Dutton rallying hard for each point. With all the other players cheering on both sides, Dao prevailed to win the set and secure the perfect win at 9-0.

With rivals Cal Poly Pomona coming up, Dao is an important factor in winning. Last year, Dao and Kristina Jansen defeated Pomona 8-1; however, when playing singles against the Broncos’ Anne Claire Ortiz-Luiz, Dao was defeated 6-1, 6-0.

“”We [Ortiz-Luiz and I] played doubles when we were younger,”” Dao said. “”I think we bring out the best in each other. It’ll be a good competitive match, I’m looking forward to it.””