California State University Northridge Athletics
California State University at Northridge
Hawai'i
CSUN Opens Women's Tennis Season This Week
3/8/2021 10:27:00 AM | Women's Tennis
NORTHRIDGE, Calif.—For the first time in 369 days, the CSUN tennis team returns to the court this week as the Matadors host Cal Lutheran on Tuesday (2 p.m.) before traveling to Hawai'i to begin Big West play on Sunday (2 p.m. PT). In concurrence with current COVID-19 protocols, fans will not be allowed into the Matador Tennis Complex to watch the action. Follow GoMatadors.com and the team's official Twitter account @CSUNWTennis.
"We are extremely thankful for this opportunity to be together, practice, and compete for one another," said CSUN head coach Gary Victor. "Our returners have set a high standard for expectations of discipline, work ethic, commitment to the team, and loyalty. Coming off a 3.9 team GPA last year with wins over Oregon, Davis, and Pacific, we are striving for big goals as a team."
CSUN returns four starters from the abbreviated 2020 campaign in senior Ekaterina Repina, and juniors Jacquie Tan, Ana Isabel Fraile Toboso, and Jolene Cotezee.
Repina led the team in singles victories in 2020 with a 6-1 mark, all in the No. 1 slot. She won her first two matches against Westmont and Alabama. Repina dropped a three-set decision to Pacific's Kiara Kosan who was nationally ranked at the time of their match on Feb. 7. She won the final four matches, all in straight sets. Repina was tied for the team lead in doubles wins (5) with Fraile Toboso and Coetzee after playing with two different partners.
"Kat comes in as one of the most highly regarded players in the Big West," said Victor. "Having wins over the number ones from Alabama and Oregon last season, Kat is driven towards excellence in everything she does."
Tan tied for third on the team in victories with Lisa-Marie Wurst, Fraile Toboso, and Emma Roenholt with four (4-2). She was 2-2 at No. 2 singles and 2-0 at No. 3 singles. Tan went 4-2 in doubles with Repina, all coming in the No. 2 slot.
After coming off a freshman season in which she earned honorable mention All-Conference honors, Fraile Toboso was 4-2 in singles play, 2-2 at No. 2, 2-0 at No. 3. Coetzee posted a 5-2 singles mark in 2020, recording the second-most victories on the team. She was 1-0 at No. 1 singles, was 2-1 at No. 2 singles, and 2-1 at No. 3 singles. Coetzee went 5-2 playing No. 1 doubles with Fraile Toboso. Coetzee was selected Academic All-Conference as all four players earned ITA Scholar-Athlete honors.
"Jacquie had a great year last year, clinching against Oregon and being a major catalyst in the Davis win," Victor said. "Jacquie has become a team leader in looking out for everyone's well-being. Ana and JoJo are the prototypical old school student-athletes. They always put the team first and have helped set the tone for our improved culture since their arrival. Both have had outstanding careers at CSUN."
The Matadors who recorded a 6-2 mark in 2020, also return Kailen Galazka and Victoria Santibañez Luna. Both players saw limited action a year ago.
"Victoria and Kailen have improved greatly and will provide much-needed depth," Victor said. "Vika has shown the ability to play at a very high level and has benefited from last year's shortened season. Kailen has made a great turnaround after last season's injuries sidelined her."
CSUN welcomes four newcomers to Northridge. Senior Jenna Doran transfer to the Matador program from Sacramento State. Doran played for the Hornets from 2018-20, earning second-team All-Big Sky Conference honors as a sophomore. Sophomore Alexandra Turchak comes to CSUN from Sonoma State where she played in the No. 1 singles slot and as part of the No. 1 doubles team for the Seawolves.
Freshman Magdalena Hedrzak is a native of Poland where she played as an amateur on the national tour. A member of the Polish national team program, she won a Polish National Championship in 2019. The final newcomer is freshman Yuliia Zhytelna. Zhytelna is a Ukrainian native who was a four-year letter winner for The Specializod school.
"Jenna Dorian and Sasha Turchak were number ones at their previous schools," said Victor. "They both bring experience and have bonded very well with their new teammates. Magda will be a force this year and beyond. She wants to improve every day and has the talent to be an outstanding student-athlete. Yuliia is one of the most athletic 17-year old's we have seen and has the work ethic to have a very bright future at CSUN."
Victor begins 2021 with 297 dual victories. He is currently 33rd among active Division I head coaches in victories and has a chance to become the 33rd active D-1 coach to win at least 300 women's tennis dual matches in a career this season.
This is the first time that CSUN and Cal Lutheran are playing women's tennis. The Regals are 0-2 after losing to Concordia-Irvine 9-0 on Mar. 6. Sophomore Joslin Seaberg was named SCIAC Player of the Week Mar. 1. She won Cal Lutheran's only match against Biola on Feb. 27 in straight sets.
Hawai'i is 1-2 with its lone victory coming against UC Irvine (7-0) on Feb. 19. Five of the six starters for the Rainbow Wahine are 1-2 in singles play. Two of the three doubles teams for Hawai'i are 1-2. The Rainbow Wahine lead the all-time series 24-9.
~#UniteTheValley~
