March 30, 2014

Box Score

FRESNO, Calif. (UNLVRebels.com) - In a rare marathon affair that saw all six singles matches go the full three sets, the UNLV women's tennis team was edged by No. 74 Fresno State 4-3 Sunday at the Wathen Tennis Center.

The Lady Rebels fell to 8-8 overall while the Bulldogs improved to 10-8.

It was doubles play that proved to be the difference and the hosts grabbed the 1-0 lead by taking both completed matches.

In singles, UNLV won the entire top half but couldn't get the needed fourth point down below.

Lucia Batta, ranked 58th in the nation, was first off, fighting off No. 70 Sophie Wells 6-1, 5-7, 6-1 at the top position. Fellow-senior Aleksandra Josifoska rallied to defeat Rana Sherif Ahmed, 2-6, 6-2, 7-6 (6) at the second spot to improve to a stunning 23-1 all-time in dual matches against league opponents. Finally, Iren Kotseva got by Aishwarya Agrawal, 7-6, 4-6, 6-2, on court three.

However, Fresno State came back to win on two courts after they dropped the first sets and then used a tiebreaker to take the decider in the other matchup to squeak it out.

Next up, UNLV returns to host San Jose State on Friday starting with doubles at 10 a.m. Admission to all home matches is free of charge.

UNLV WOMEN'S TENNIS RESULTS#74 FRESNO STATE 4, UNLV 3Tennis Match ResultsMarch 30, 2014, at Fresno, CA(Spalding G. Wathen Tennis Center)
Singles competition 1. #58 Lucia Batta (UNLV) def. #70 Sophie Watts (FS) 6-1, 5-7, 6-12. Aleksandra Josifoska (UNLV) def. Rana Sherif Ahmed (FS) 2-6, 6-2, 7-6 (8-6)3. Iren Kotseva (UNLV) def. Aishwarya Agrawal (FS) 7-6 (7-5), 4-6, 6-24. Sofya Malysheva (FS) def. Santa Shumilina (UNLV) 7-5, 1-6, 7-6 (7-5)5. Anneka Watts (FS) def. Kamelia Dimitrova (UNLV) 1-6, 6-4, 6-16. Anne Susdorf (FS) def. Paola Artiga (UNLV) 6-7 (4-7), 6-1, 6-3 Doubles competition 1. Sophie Watts/Anneka Watts (FS) def. Lucia Batta/Santa Shumilina (UNLV) 8-42. Aishwarya Agrawal/Sofya Malysheva (FS) def. Kamelia Dimitrova/Anett Ferenczi-Bako (UNLV) 8-13. Tanya Murtagh/Anne Susdorf (FS) vs. Iren Kotseva/Aleksandra Josifoska (UNLV) 6-7, unfinished
 Order of finish: Doubles (2,1); Singles (1,2,5,4,6,3)