CSUN Sweeps UCR For Fourth Consecutive Win

By Zack Rome CSUN Athletics Communications Intern

The CSUN women's tennis team (6-8, 2-2 Big West) swept UC Riverside (4-15, 0-5 Big West) 7-0 in a Big West matchup Saturday at the Matador Tennis Complex.

"We really came to play today." CSUN head coach Gary Victor said. "Obviously having Emma [Roenholt] back playing well was a huge boost. And to have Ki [Kiryang Kim] back is unbelievable, since we were without her since February. To have one of our a leaders back playing is a huge boost."

CSUN took the doubles point early on, led by the No. 1 doubles team of Skyla Alcon and Monika Van de Vondel. They defeated Tia Elpusan and Sara Khattab 6-1. Arpe Bagumyan and Emma Roenholt then went to beat Natalie Penner and Tracy Van 6-4 on court No. 3.

"Monica performed really well. And Skyla played at an incredible level." Victor said. "The two of them, when they are jelling and have high energy, are very strong to beat."

Alicia Dinkelmeyer and Mari Taslagyan rounded out doubles play by taking a point of their own, defeating Lauren Wolfe and Tamilla Vaksman 6-4.

The Matadors arguably played one of their best duals of the season, as they shutout the Highlanders.Emma Roenholt kicked off singles play with a win over the Highlanders' Natalie Penner, defeating 6-0, 6-1 in the No. 6 match.

Alicia Dinkelmeyer won her eighth consecutive singles match beating Sara Khattab in straight sets, 6-1, 6-1. The freshman pushed her own record to 9-1 overall.

"[Alicia Dinkelmeyer] has been an incredible player." said Victor. "She is playing like a leader on the team and it is a testament to her preparation."

Mari Taslagyan defeated Tamilla Vaksman 6-0, 6-3 at No.5. She is now 8-3 after dropping the first three matches of the campaign.Skyla Alcon also made quick work of Chloe Pham going 6-4, 6-2 in No.3 singles.

One of the closer matches was at No.1 singles. Van de Vondel and Epulsan went back and forth trading point after point but Van de Vondel took the advantage and defeated Epulsan in straight sets (7-5, 7-5).

"I think our team was ready to play today. We all had good energy, we practiced hard this week, and we were injured but we rested to get ready for today," said Van de Vondel. "I think winning four times in a row [as a team] is such a good feeling. We just wanna keep it going, and we are feeling confident."

Kiryang Kim, playing in her first singles match since a duel versus Nevada on Feb. 24 due to injury, won in two hard fought sets versus Lauren Wolfe, 7-5, 6-4 to get her first singles win of the season.

The Matadors will try to extend their win streak to five as they take on UC Irvine Sunday at Anteater Tennis Stadium.

~www.GoMatadors.com~

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Team Stats

Players Mentioned

Skyla Alcon

Arpe Bagumyan

Alicia Dinkelmeyer

Kiryang Kim

Emma Roenholt

Mari Taslagyan

Monika Van de Vondel