CSUN Tennis Overcomes Conference Foe CSUF, 4-3

NORTHRIDGE, Calif -- The CSUN women's tennis team continued its winning streak, notched their first win in conference play, and took down one of the top teams in the Big West, Cal State Fullerton as the Matadors won a close one, 4-3 at the Matador Tennis Complex Saturday afternoon.
After reaching match point twice in conference matches earlier this season, the Matadors finally got over the hump against the Titans, a team that had not lost in Big West play so far this season.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

The Titans, who sported a 3-0 record in Big West doubles play this year entering the match, kicked off the scoring by taking the doubles point. Eira Tobrand and Luxizi Meng made quick work of Sibel Demirbaga and Emma Roenholt, 6-1.
CSUF clinched the doubles point on Court No. 1 when Karla Portalatin and Sarah Nuno claimed victory over Skyla Alcon and Monika Van de Vondel 6-3.
After Fullerton took the early 1-0 lead, CSUN tied the score thanks to freshman Ana Isabel Fraile Toboso who defeated Caisey Lee Emery 6-2, 6-1. The spaniard is now an impressive 10-0 on the season to begin her collegiate career.
The Titans took over the lead once again when Portalatin defeated Van de Vondel 6-2, 6-3 on Court No. 1
CSUF would then be verge of taking the match with a victory on Court No. 3 when Genevieve Zeidan won over Alcon 6-4, 7-5
After being down 3-1 the Matadors did not stop fighting. Jolene Coetzee picked up what may have been her most impressive victory of the season on Court No. 2 when she defeated Nuno in straight sets, 6-4, 6-4. Nuno was Big West First-Team selection in 2018.
Roenholt evened up the scoring on Court No. 6 when she defeated Tobrand in a three set battle that went CSUN's way. Roenholt is now 8-2 in singles' play on the season.
With the score tied at three apiece, the match came down to Meng and Demirbaga on Court No.5 and the freshman from Germany was clutch down the stretch for the Matadors. Demirbaga won the first set 6-3, and battled in the second before eventually dropping 7-6. It came down to the final set in the final match, and Demirbaga put it away for CSUN, winning the third set decisively, 6-1.

ACCORDING TO HEAD COACH GARY VICTOR

"We've had close matches with conference opponents before today and I think that prepared them for the win. I think we picked up confidence with some wins lately. Having a winning record pushed positivity. This was a great win. Fullerton is so well coached and that team doesn't beat itself. This was a breakthrough moment for us. This is the most important win in a couple years. This win feels like we are back on the map."

UP NEXT:

The Matadors will host Omaha on Tuesday at 11 a.m. The Mavs are 3-12 on the season.

CSUN Tennis Overcomes Conference Foe CSUF, 4-3

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Team Stats

Players Mentioned

Skyla Alcon

Jolene Coetzee

Sibel Demirbaga

Ana Isabel Fraile Toboso

Emma Roenholt

Monika Van de Vondel