Aggies Edge Matadors in Nail-Biter

DAVIS, Calif. – The CSUN women’s tennis team (4-4, 0-2 Large West) dropped a hard-fought match against the UC Davis Aggies (8-8, 2-2 Big West) on Saturday, falling by a score of 4-3 at the Marya Welch Tennis Center.

CSUN secured the doubles point, but ultimately couldn’t hold on for the victory despite individual wins from Emma Moratalla Sanz and Madison Shepperson.

Doubles Dominance Sets Early Tone

The Matadors started strong, claiming the doubles point to take an early 1-0 lead. The duo of Madison Shepperson and Satsuki Ishikawa delivered a decisive 6-1 victory over Aileena Hu and Kaia Wolfe. The No. 1 pair of Angela Ho and Nicole West then clinched the doubles point with a 6-3 win against Polina Marakhtanova and Mika Ikemori.

Singles Battles See Aggies Rally

UC Davis responded by winning the first singles match, with Hu defeating Sofia Dermenjyan 6-3, 6-1, tying the score at 1-1.

CSUN quickly regained the lead as Shepperson topped Isabella Bringas in straight sets, 6-4, 6-3.

The Aggies once again leveled the match with a win at Court No. 4, where Vivian Gallaway defeated Tallia Harper 7-5, 6-2, bringing the score to 2-2.

UC Davis then took the lead at No. 1 singles. Ho won the first set, but Marakhtanova rallied to win in three sets, 4-6, 6-1, 6-2.

The Aggies clinched the dual at Court No. 2, with Ikemori outlasting West in a tight match, 6-3, 6-7 (4), 7-5.

Moratalla Sanz secured a point for CSUN, bouncing back from a first-set loss to defeat Maya Youssef 4-6, 7-6 (2), 7-6 (5).

Key Stats and Highlights

• Emma Moratalla Sanz is the first Matador to reach six singles victories this season, improving to a 6-1 record.
• Madison Shepperson is now 4-2 in singles play.
• Angela Ho and Nicole West are 4-1 in doubles play and have won their last three matches together.
• Despite the loss, CSUN still leads the all-time series against UC Davis 18-13.

Up Next for the Matadors

CSUN will look to rebound tomorrow against Pacific in Stockton at the Eve Zimmerman Tennis Center. First serve is scheduled for 11:00 a.m.