Jan. 23, 2011

Las Vegas, Nev. -

Today the Tigers faced the 29th ranked team in the nation, and though they lost to UNLV, the matches were still heated and they were close!  It came down to the wire with the singles match in which Shabby Eslami faced Jana Albers and lost with a three set score of 6-4, 3-6, 6-4.

Coach Chiene reflected on today's match stated, "Though we had another 3-4 loss, it was to the #29 team in the country!! We were so close. They were playing without their top two players and we were playing without our #2 player Christina Goehl! We played much better than yesterday in the grand scheme of things. I was proud of how well we competed and were not intimidated by a top 30 team on their home courts! We played real solid doubles at the two top spots. Jenifer Widjaja and Julia Hansen played aggressively and took control of the net; it was one of their best matches together. The best win was at #2 when Shabby Eslami and Summer (Sarah Irvin) beat a nationally ranked doubles team(#58) 8-6. They handled the opponents pace beautifully and got to the net to apply the pressure. It was Sarah Irvin's best doubles match since being at Pacific and Shabby Eslami comes in knowing how to play solid doubles. They formed a great team today!"

Both of Shabby Eslami's match were deciding matches for the day.  Her singles loss was so close, but her doubles win with Sarah Irvin was stellar against a ranked doubles duo.  Senior Kateryna Nezhura also had a great day.  Her singles match concluded with a score that reflects her effort and winning strategy.  Her finals score was 6-4, 7-6(3).

Today's Results:

Singles:

1) Jenifer Widjaja def Nives Paulovic 6-1,6-2

2) Jana Albers def Julia Hansen 6-4,6-4

3) Adrienn Hidvegi def Shabby Eslami 6-4,3-6,6-4

4) Anna Maskaljun def. Olga Gumenyuk 6-0,6-4

5) Rumyana Terzieva def. Susan Te 6-3,6-0

6) Kateryna Nezhura def Ella Bourchier 6-4,7-6(3)

Order of finish: 1,5,4,2,6,3*

** = deciding match

Doubles:

1) Jenifer Widjaja / Julia Hansen def. Nives Paulovic/ Anna Maskaljun 8-3

2) Sarah Irvin / Shabby Eslami def. #58 Jana Albers/Adrienn Hidvegi 8-6

3) Rumyana Terzieva/Ella Bourchier def Olga Gumenyuk / Susan Te 8-4

Order of finish: 1,3,2*

*=match that decided the doubles point

match Final Score: #29 UNLV 4 Pacific 3