VANCOUVER – The Portland State women's tennis team kicked off Big Sky Conference play with a win, defeating Southern Utah 7-0 on Monday afternoon at the Vancouver Tennis Center.
 
The Vikings (2-3, 1-0 Big Sky) jumped out ahead, sweeping all three doubles matches to earn the point. Playing at the No. 2 spot, Jacinta Milenkoski and Eszter Zador continued to dominate as a duo, winning 6-3 for their second straight win to improve to 3-1 in dual play as partners.
 
Finishing second on court one, Lotti Meszaros and Nina Nikitovic downed their opponents 6-3 while Alli Valk and Emily Rees finished moments later, winning 6-4 to complete the doubles sweep.
 
"After doubles it was nice to see that everyone won, we were fighting so hard because we had a tough loss to [Southern Utah] last year and we were ready to go," said Zador.
 
In singles, Meszaros made quick work at the No. 1 spot, winning in straight sets 6-4, 6-3, finishing first to give Portland State a 2-0 advantage. She improved to 2-3 in dual play on the season.
 
Also getting back on the winning side of things was Nina Nikitovic who won 6-2, 6-4 at No. 3 while Zador clinched the win for the Vikings, coming back from a 6-2 loss in the first set to win 6-1, 6-1 and earn the fourth point.
 
"I got a little upset in my first set and I lost the set and I just thought I needed to play my game," added Zador. "I was able to make her hit a few more errors and I was able to play with more confidence and pull out the win which I was really happy about."
 
Milenkoski held on to her singles victory, bouncing back from a 7-5 loss in the opening set before winning 6-0 in the second and taking the tiebreaker 11-9 in the third for her second win of the season.
 
Valk completed the sweep of the Thunderbirds, winning her match at the fifth spot, becoming the third player to bounce back after dropping the first set. Down after falling in set one 7-6 (7-3), Valk tied things up with a 6-4 win before pulling out a 1-0 (10-8) win in the final set.
 
"Even though we may lose the first set some time, we can come back and its really nice to see that no one gives up after losing a set," said Zador.
 
The Vikings return to action on Saturday, Feb. 22 as they host non-conference opponent Whitman College before returning to Big Sky play the next day, facing Northern Arizona on Sunday. Both matches will be played at the Vancouver Tennis Center.

RESULTS:
SINGLES:
Lotti Meszaros (PSU) def. Zoe Tanti (SUU) 6-4, 6-3
Jacinta Milenkoski (PSU) def. Daniela Cozzi (SUU) 5-7 (11-9), 6-0, 1-0
Nina Nikitovic (PSU) def. Alexandra Ngo (SUU) 6-2, 6-4
Eszter Zador (PSU) def. Paula Tascon (SUU) 2-6, 6-1, 6-1
Alli Valk (PSU) def. Georgia Hosking (SUU) 6-7 (3-7), 6-4, 1-0 (10-8)
Emily Rees (PSU) def. Jessica Stefan (SUU), by forfeit
 
DOUBLES:
Lotti Meszaros/Nina Nikitovic (PSU) def. Zoe Tanti/Daniela Cozzi (SUU) 6-3
Jacinta Milenkoski/Eszter Zador (PSU) def. Georgia Hosking/Jessica Ste
Alli Valk/Emily Rees def. Alexandra Ngo/Paula Tascon (SUU) 6-4