LAS VEGAS, Nev. -- The Thunderbird women's tennis team opened their regular season against Grand Canyon University on Friday in Las Vegas, where they fell to GCU in a tight 4-3 contest.
"We had an opportunity to win the doubles point at No. 3 but couldn't capitalize on it," SUU head coach Rose Ketmayura said. "Dani (Cozzi) had a great match in singles but her opponent played great on the big points. It was a good first match and a good start to our season."
Last season the Thunderbirds fell to Grand Canyon 7-0, finding a much better result this time around.
SUU picked up a point in the No. 1 singles spot, when Ghita Nassik picked up a 6-2, 6-4 victory for the Thunderbirds. She topped GCU's top player Martine Lo Pumo.
Eira Tobrand picked up a point for the T-Birds in the No. 2 singles spot, knocking off Lana Rinaldi of GCU 7-5, 4-6, 6-1. Tobrand was really able to find her groove in the third set of that back-and-forth affair.
Alexandra Ngo was victorious in the No. 6 spot for the Thunderbirds, topping GCU's Autum Prudhomme 6-4, 6-7 (3), 6-3.
The Thunderbirds will return to action on Sunday when they take on the Air Force Academy Falcons in Las Vegas.
Follow the Thunderbirds all season @SUUWTennis on Twitter and Instagram and by liking the Southern Utah Women's Tennis page on Facebook.
Read all about the Thunderbirds sports on
www.suutbirds.com.
Singles Competition
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Ghita Nassik (SUU) def. Martina Lo Pumo (GCU) 6-2, 6-4
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Eira Tobrand (SUU) def. Lana Rinaldi (GCU) 7-5, 4-6, 6-1
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Valentina Mokrova (GCU) def. Daniela Cozzi (SUU) 1-6, 7-6, 7-6
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Celina Buhr (GCU) def. Mikala Lowrance (SUU) 6-1, 6-4
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Emilia Occhipinti (GCU) def. Charity Sagiao (SUU) 7-5, 6-3
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Alexandra Ngo (SUU) def. Autum Prudhomme (GCU) 6-4, 6-7, 6-3
Doubles Competition
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Lana Rinaldi/Emilia Occhipinti (GCU) def. Ghita Nassik/Daniela Cozzi (SUU) 6-2
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Mikala Lowrance/Alexandra Ngo (SUU) def. Valentina Mokrova/Celina Buhr (GCU) 6-4
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Martina Lo Pumo/Kylie Waschuk (GCU) def. Laura Martin/ Teresa De Enrique Schmidt 6-4
Match Notes
Grand Canyon 1-0
Southern Utah 0-1