PORTLAND, Ore. - The Portland State women's tennis team will head to California this week for its first two out-of-state matches of the 2024 season. The Vikings will take on the Academy of Art on Thursday, Feb. 1 (12pm), before facing Santa Clara on Friday, Feb. 2 (11am).
Thursday's match will be the first counting match of the season for the Urban Knights, who finished seventh in the PacWest Championship tournament in 2023. It will be the second meeting between the programs, the first having taken place in 2016. Santa Clara, which finished 0-18 a season ago is 1-1 heading into Friday's matchup. The Broncos opened their 2024 season with a 7-0 sweep of Art U before falling 5-2 to Fresno State.
MATCH #1
Portland State (1-2) at Academy of Art (0-0)
When: Thursday, Feb. 1 (12pm)
Where: Daly City, Calif. (Bay Club South (SF))
All-Time Series: Art U leads, 1-0
Last Meeting: L, 6-1 (1/31/16)
Live Stats |
MATCH #2
Portland State (1-2) at Santa Clara (1-1)
When: Friday, Feb. 2 (11am)
Where: Santa Clara, Calif. (Degheri Tennis Center)
All-Time Series: Santa Clara leads, 1-0
Last Meeting: L, 6-1 (3/26/08)
Live Stats |
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VIKINGS' LAST TIME OUTÂ
Portland State will look to build on last Saturday's impressive performance against the University of Portland. Despite the absence of Capu Sanoner, a key part of the Vikings' lineup, Portland State went toe-to-toe with a talented Pilot squad but ultimately fell 4-3 to the cross-town rival. The match came down to a trio of three-set matches, all in which were neck-and-neck until the final point.
Nika Beukers, Scarlett Perkins and Makoto Ohara earned PSU's three victories. Beukers was exceptional at line two, beating Sally Pethybridge 6-3, 6-3. Perkins, a freshman, also routed her UP opponent in two sets, defeating Nadine Arbaizar Martinez 7-6 (4), 6-3 at line five. Ohara notched a thrilling comeback win at No. 3 singles, battling Alaia Rubio Perez to a 2-6, 6-3, 7-6 (8) defeat.
Additionally, Maddie Egan (No. 6) and Momoko Yoshimura (No. 4) also fought three-set battles but each came up short in their final sets. Sophomore Elizabeth Strongina pushed Pilot senior Iva Zelic to her limit on court one but fell 7-6 (6), 6-3.
PORTLAND STATE LEADERS
With Sanoner absent, the Vikings are still piecing together their doubles lineup but enter the weekend with a 4-4 doubles record. Ohara leads the Vikings with a 2-0 mark, winning at line two with both Yoshimura and Strongina. Beukers, Perkins and Ohara lead the Vikings with two wins each in singles play.
LOOKING AHEAD
Following this week's road trip, the Vikings will return home to host Washington State on Feb. 10 at the Tualatin Hills Tennis Center. The Cougars will be the Vikings' final non-conference opponent before Big Sky action begins on Feb. 17 against Montana State.
