March 12, 2010

Long Beach, Calif. - Long Beach State put together one of its best performances of the year, defeating Nevada 7-0 Friday at home in non-conference play. The 49ers took two of three doubles matches before sweeping singles.

The 49ers exacted the perfect revenge for a 4-3 loss last season, as the team welcomed back Nevada for a return trip to the Rhodes Tennis Center. Long Beach State started by taking the doubles point, as Jaklin Alawi and Rachel Manasse defeated Mizyuk/Stevens 8-3, and Deborah Armstrong and Anais Dallara rallied from an early deficit to take an 8-5 win over DeVrye/Lombard 8-5. Sarah Cantlay and Anna Jeczmionka forced a tiebreaker after trailing 4-1, but ultimately fell at No. 3 singles to Ogata/Verberne 8-7.

In singles, Dallara continued her strong play in a 6-1, 6-1 win at No. 2 singles over Emma Verberne, and Alawi remained undefeated at No. 1 singles with a 7-6, 6-4 win over Maria Mizyuk. Armstrong continued the redemption theme, defeating Florence DeVrye in a rematch from last season 6-1, 6-2, and Manasse won 6-1, 6-3 at No. 4 singles in one of the clinching victories.

Cantlay won in straight sets as well at No. 6, defeating Sophie Stevens 7-5, 6-4, while Jeczmionka pulled out a tight match with Aline Laurioux, winning 7-6 (3), 6-7 (5), 10-4.

Long Beach State remains at home for four more matches, and will face four ranked opponents in that stretch. The 49ers will start with Minnesota, hosting the Golden Gophers at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, March 17.

DOUBLES
Alawi/Manasse, LBSU def. Mizyuk/Stevens, UNR 8-3
Armstrong/Dallara, LBSU def. DeVrye/Lombard, UNR 8-5
Ogata/Verberne, UNR def. Cantlay/Jeczmionka, LBSU, 8-7 (3)

SINGLES
Jaklin Alawi, LBSU def. Maria Mizyuk, UNR 7-6 (6), 6-4
Anais Dallara, LBSU def. Emma Verberne, UNR 6-1, 6-1
Deborah Armstrong, LBSU def. Florence DeVrye, UNR 6-1, 6-2
Rachel Manasse, LBSU def. Lais Ogata, UNR 6-1, 6-3
Anna Jeczmionka, LBSU def. Aline Laurioux, UNR 7-6 (3), 6-7 (5) 10-4
Sarah Cantlay, LBSU def. Sophie Stevens, UNR 7-5, 6-4