`Eaters Host Sacramento State, No. 19 Washington
Feb. 22, 2010
NO. 51 ANTEATERS HOST NO. 49 SACRAMENTO STATE, NO. 19 WASHINGTON: The No. 51 UC Irvine women’s tennis team (3-3, 1-1) hosts No. 49 Sacramento State Friday at 1:30 p.m. and No. 19 Washington Saturday at 11:00 a.m. in non-conference play at Anteater Tennis Stadium.
ABOUT THE OPPONENTS: The No. 49 Hornets are 5-3 to start the week and host Hawaii Tuesday. No. 46 Katrina Zheltova is 6-2 at No. 1 singles for Sacramento State.
The No. 19 Huskies are 7-1 on the year. No. 4 Denise Dy and No. 14 Venise Chan are the top singles players for UW.
WEEK IN REVIEW: The Anteaters lost 4-3 to Long Beach State in their lone match of the week. Freshman Kristina Smith (Dana Hills HS) and junior Becka Kwan (San Diego/Torrey Pines HS) each won their singles matches against LBSU. Junior Brooke Bartlett was named Big West Athlete of the Week Wednesday.
ANTEATERS IN THE RANKINGS: The Anteaters are currently ranked 51st in the country by the ITA rankings. Sophomore Stephanie Hammel (Placentia/Valencia HS) is ranked 15th in singles in the Southwest Region. Brooke Bartlett is ranked 20th in singles in the region. The doubles team of Hammel and sophomore Courtney Byron (Scottsdale, Ariz./Notre Dame Prep HS) is ranked third in the region. The ‘Eaters ended the 2009 season ranked 57th nationally.
‘EATER LEADERS: Freshman Kristina Smith (Dana Hills HS) leads the team with a 5-1 record in singles. Smith and Bartlett are 5-1 on the year as a doubles team.
TOP RETURNERS: Stephanie Hammel was named Big West Freshman of the Year in 2009 as well as All-Big West first team in singles and doubles with the now graduated Heidi Kaloi. Courtney Byron was All-Big West second team in singles and honorable mention in doubles with junior Miranda Young (Newport Beach/Tufts Univ.). Brooke Bartlett was named All-Big West honorable mention in singles. Becka Kwan led all returnees with a 16-6 record in singles last season.
