The 23rd-ranked UCSD women’s tennis team defeated conference rival Sonoma State in the first round of the regional playoffs this past weekend, 5-1.
The Tritons went undefeated in singles play and went 2-1 in doubles for the 5-1 win over Sonoma State University on April 28 in the first contest of the NCAA D-II West Regionals.
The Tritons jumped out to an early 2-1 lead after doubles play. The No. 1 doubles pair of senior Marsha Malinow and sophomore Ina Dan won handily, 8-3. No. 3 doubles pair sophomore Yekaterina Milvidskaia and senior Allison Legakis struggled early in their match, but in the end, won decidedly as well, 8-4. The lone loss for the Tritons came from its No. 2 doubles pair junior Justine Ang Fonte and senior Christy Knudsen, as they had a difficult match and eventually fell to their opponents, 7-9.
Head coach Liz LaPlante was pleased with her team’s doubles performance.
“”Sonoma is a good team and we knew we needed to come out strong in the doubles,”” LaPlante said. “”We won very easily at No. 1, struggled for awhile at No. 3, but came through at the end, had a real tough match at No. 2 doubles. … We could have played a little better at key times in the match.””
Singles play was even better for the Tritons as the team outright dominated Sonoma State, going undefeated. No. 1 Malinow defeated her opponent easily 6-4, 6-2, while No. 2 Dan had an easier time winning, 6-2, 6-2. No. 5 Legakis clinched the victory for the Tritons, winning 7-5, 6-3. While the victory was gift-wrapped in that match, three others were yet to be decided. No. 3 Fonte was up 7-5, 5-0, while No. 6 Knudsen was tied in the second set after winning the first 6-2, 5-5. No. 4 freshman Pooja Desai was actually down a set but was leading in the second 4-6, 4-2.
LaPlante seemed delighted with the overall play of her team.
“”In singles, we just really dominated them all the way down the lineup,”” LaPlante said. “”Senior Ali Legakis played really well. She had won a very long match against this same opponent the first time we played them and this time she played a lot smarter and won easily.””
The victory this weekend was not the only big news for the Tritons this week as many of the players received All-California Collegiate Athletic Association honors. Malinow, who was 7-3 in singles play this year at the No. 1 spot, was voted as the Most Valuable Player, while Desai, who went 9-0 at the No. 4 spot, was selected for Freshman of the Year. LaPlante was chosen for her fourth CCAA Coach of the Year award after leading the Tritons to their fourth consecutive conference championship and an amazing streak of 40-straight league victories. Four Tritons were selected for the All-CCAA First Team with Dan and Fonte joining Malinow and Desai for the top honors.
LaPlante credited her immense success to her players.
“”Its a nice honor to win the coach of the year award again,”” LaPlante said. “”I can only attribute it to having a group of great girls who work super hard and have a strong desire to win for themselves and each other.””
Next up for the Tritons is Hawaii Pacific University in the final round of the regional playoffs. The team is in for a tough match as Hawaii Pacific University defeated the Tritons 1-8 in their previous meeting. However, the team is not worried.
“”HPU is a very tough team and in order for us to have a chance we have to win at least two of the doubles matches,”” LaPlante said. “”We had three close ones that we lost last time, so we know we have a chance. When we played them before, the team didn’t play too well and we feel we are much better prepared and now we have nothing to lose.””
