UC Davis continues to ace competition

After a 0-2 start for the UC Davis women’s tennis team, things weren’t looking so bright.

What a difference 10 matches can make.

The Aggies topped both Big West Conference rival Pacific and non-conference foe San Jose State this weekend to extend their win-streak to 10 matches.

Coach Bill Maze is impressed with his team’s performance during the streak.

“It shows me how tough our team is,” said Maze. “Not only is this team talented but they have heart.”

With the two wins, UC Davis moves to 10-2 overall and 4-0 in conference and sits atop the Big West standings.

On Friday, the Aggies avenged last year’s loss to Pacific by beating the Tigers 5-2.

The Aggies jumped out to an early 3-0 lead behind the strong performance of their doubles teams. On the singles side, sophomore Ellie Eddles and freshman Kelly Chui put on impressive performances, sweeping both of their opponents in straight sets.

Freshman Nicole Koehly earned the clinching win for the Aggies. Koehly gained momentum in the match after coming back from down 5-2 to win first set in a tiebreaker. She kept up the pressure in the second set and eventually won 7-6, (7-5), 6-3.

Junior Dahra Zamudio battled hard but was not able to top Pacific number two Julia Hasen in a three-set match. The final victory came from sophomore Lauren Curry.

“It was a great match,” Maze said.

Maze said this victory showed what one can expect for the rest of the season.

The following day, the Aggies continued the impressive run with a 5-1 victory against San Jose State at the Spartan Tennis Complex. The doubles competition was not played due to time constraints, with San Jose playing a second match that afternoon.

For UC Davis, the match could not have gone much better, with positions one through five all earning victories. Neither Curry nor Chui dropped a game, and they provided the first two victories of the day.

Heneghan followed up those wins with a 6-4, 6-1 victory of her own. The Aggies finished up the match with wins by Eddles and Zamudio.

With two wins this weekend, Maze said the Aggies should feel good heading into an extended break before their next match.

“The team has had such a great first half of the season,” said Maze. “They’ve got to feel great.”

After practice this week, the Aggies will be off for finals week and the first few days of spring break.

Maze said his team deserves the break.

The next match is March 26 when Sacramento State comes to play at Marya Welch Tennis Center.

CAELUM SHOVE can be reached at sports@theaggie.org.