Saturday, February 18
San Luis Obispo, Calif.
11:00 a.m.
California State University at Northridge
4
at
3
Cal Poly
Photo by: Connor Clark
CSUN Wins a Thriller at Cal Poly in Big West Opener 4-3
2/18/2023 5:50:00 PM | Women's Tennis
SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif.—In a dual that came down to the final singles match, CSUN defeated Cal Poly 4-3 in the Big West opener for both teams Saturday afternoon at the Mustang Tennis Complex.
Cal Poly scored first when the Mustangs duo of Kim Bhunu and Kennedy Buntrock defeated Sasha Turchak and Yuliia Zhytelna 6-4 at No. 2 doubles. Jolene Coetzee and Angela Ho tied the score when the Matadors' pair handed Peyton Dunkle and Delanie Dunkle a 7-5 defeat. The Mustangs took the doubles point when Melissa LaMette and Alexandra Ozerets defeated Vitoria Solis Urdiales and Cindy Ung 7-5.
Singles play began with Zhytelna defeating Peyton Dunkle 6-2, 6-4 at No. 3. Turchak put the Matadors into the lead when she beat LaMette 6-4, 6-2 in the No. 2 slot. Bhunu tied the dual at two when she defeated Coetzee 6-4, 7-6 (8-6).
Ho returned the advantage in favor of the Matadors at No. 4 as she posted a 6-4, 2-6, 6-4 victory against Delanie Dunkle. Ozerets tied the dual in No. 5 play with a 2-6, 6-2, 6-1 win versus Solis Urdiales.
In the deciding No. 6 singles match, Moratalla Sanz faced Buntrock. Moratalla Sanz won the opening set 7-6 (7-0). Buntrock tied the match in the second set when she won the tiebreaker 8-6. Moratalla Sanz clinched the overall victory with a 6-2 win in the final set.
ACCORDING TO HEAD COACH GARY VICTOR
"This was a fantastic college tennis match. Our freshmen handled the pressure incredibly well. Angela missed an overhead on a set point that would have won doubles, and then she returned to serve out her game and play a rock-solid game to break for the win."
"We came back and fought with all we had in singles, and we were able to handle the crowd and the adversity of coming back. I am so proud of Angela and Emma for their maturity. Emma winning the deciding match was an extraordinary moment after a match point in the second set tiebreak. (Assistant Coach) James (Ciuffo) and I are so thankful for having Jackie (O'Neill) on court. Our support system is strong."
PLAYER REACTION
"Today, I fought for every point, and I tried to keep with my game every time," Moratalla Sanz said. "I don't have words to explain what I feel today. It was my first conference match in my freshman year, and I won the deciding match. My team is the best, they handled every point, and we beat Cal Poly. I cannot do what I did without my team supporting me."
"The energy was amazing on every court. Everyone fought for each point and gave their best effort," said Turchak. "I stayed focused on my match and fought until the end. I am so proud of everyone!"
"Today's match showed that hard work is paying off," Zhytelna said. "We played with great energy, and everyone played tough."
"Jojo and I winning doubles gave me a lot of confidence and momentum going into singles," Ho said. "I started strong winning the first set 6-4. However, I had trouble refocusing the second set and lost 2-6. Coach helped me refocus the third set, and with my teammates supporting me, I could close out the third set 6-4. My first conference match was one to remember, and I had a great battle."
UP NEXT
CSUN (4-2, 1-0 Big West) travels to UC San Diego (5-4, 1-1 Big West) next Sunday, Feb. 26. The first serve is set for noon.
Cal Poly scored first when the Mustangs duo of Kim Bhunu and Kennedy Buntrock defeated Sasha Turchak and Yuliia Zhytelna 6-4 at No. 2 doubles. Jolene Coetzee and Angela Ho tied the score when the Matadors' pair handed Peyton Dunkle and Delanie Dunkle a 7-5 defeat. The Mustangs took the doubles point when Melissa LaMette and Alexandra Ozerets defeated Vitoria Solis Urdiales and Cindy Ung 7-5.
Singles play began with Zhytelna defeating Peyton Dunkle 6-2, 6-4 at No. 3. Turchak put the Matadors into the lead when she beat LaMette 6-4, 6-2 in the No. 2 slot. Bhunu tied the dual at two when she defeated Coetzee 6-4, 7-6 (8-6).
Ho returned the advantage in favor of the Matadors at No. 4 as she posted a 6-4, 2-6, 6-4 victory against Delanie Dunkle. Ozerets tied the dual in No. 5 play with a 2-6, 6-2, 6-1 win versus Solis Urdiales.
In the deciding No. 6 singles match, Moratalla Sanz faced Buntrock. Moratalla Sanz won the opening set 7-6 (7-0). Buntrock tied the match in the second set when she won the tiebreaker 8-6. Moratalla Sanz clinched the overall victory with a 6-2 win in the final set.
ACCORDING TO HEAD COACH GARY VICTOR
"This was a fantastic college tennis match. Our freshmen handled the pressure incredibly well. Angela missed an overhead on a set point that would have won doubles, and then she returned to serve out her game and play a rock-solid game to break for the win."
"We came back and fought with all we had in singles, and we were able to handle the crowd and the adversity of coming back. I am so proud of Angela and Emma for their maturity. Emma winning the deciding match was an extraordinary moment after a match point in the second set tiebreak. (Assistant Coach) James (Ciuffo) and I are so thankful for having Jackie (O'Neill) on court. Our support system is strong."
PLAYER REACTION
"Today, I fought for every point, and I tried to keep with my game every time," Moratalla Sanz said. "I don't have words to explain what I feel today. It was my first conference match in my freshman year, and I won the deciding match. My team is the best, they handled every point, and we beat Cal Poly. I cannot do what I did without my team supporting me."
"The energy was amazing on every court. Everyone fought for each point and gave their best effort," said Turchak. "I stayed focused on my match and fought until the end. I am so proud of everyone!"
"Today's match showed that hard work is paying off," Zhytelna said. "We played with great energy, and everyone played tough."
"Jojo and I winning doubles gave me a lot of confidence and momentum going into singles," Ho said. "I started strong winning the first set 6-4. However, I had trouble refocusing the second set and lost 2-6. Coach helped me refocus the third set, and with my teammates supporting me, I could close out the third set 6-4. My first conference match was one to remember, and I had a great battle."
UP NEXT
CSUN (4-2, 1-0 Big West) travels to UC San Diego (5-4, 1-1 Big West) next Sunday, Feb. 26. The first serve is set for noon.
~#UniteTheValley~
Team Stats
#1 Doubles Match
#2 Doubles Match
#3 Doubles Match
Order of Finish:
2,1,3
#1 Singles Match
12
46
Bhunu, Kim / 0 [CP]
67
#2 Singles Match
12
66
LaMette, Melissa / 0 [CP]
42
#3 Singles Match
12
66
Dunkle, Peyton / 0 [CP]
24
#4 Singles Match
123
626
Dunkle, Delanie / 0 [CP]
464
#5 Singles Match
123
621
Ozerets, Alexandra / 0 [CP]
266
#6 Singles Match
123
766
Buntrock, Kennedy / 0 [CP]
672
Order of Finish:
3,2,1,4,5,6
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
A Conversation With Gary Victor
Friday, May 29
Meet the Matadors - 2017 Women's Tennis
Thursday, January 26