In Waco, Texas, Baylor's women's tennis team, ranked No. 38, showed their prowess with a decisive 4-1 victory over No. 39 University of San Diego at the Hurd Tennis Center. The Bears clinched the doubles point and sealed the deal with singles victories on courts 2, 5, and 6, while USD managed a win at No. 3 singles but couldn't mount a comeback.
Match Breakdown
Baylor set the tone early by securing the doubles point. Zuzanna Kubacha and Gabrielle Villegas delivered a flawless 6-0 performance at No. 1 doubles against Anni Moll and Hannah Read. Meanwhile, Na Dong and Alian Zack backed them up with a 6-3 win at No. 2 doubles over Vilma Krebs-Hyllested and Maria Shmakova.
The Toreros found some success at No. 3 doubles, where Charlotte Keitel and Kristina Nordikyan edged out Luna Ivkovic and Neda Rahimkhani, 6-4.
In singles play, Baylor extended their lead with Kubacha, ranked No. 120, who didn't drop a game in her 6-0, 6-0 victory over Krebs-Hyllested at No. 2 singles. Her performance was a masterclass in dominance, echoing her earlier doubles success.
USD’s Read, ranked No. 119, put up a fight at No. 3 singles, defeating Kennedy Gibbs 6-2, 6-0, giving the Toreros their lone singles win. However, Baylor's Ivkovic responded with a 6-1, 7-5 victory over Moll at No. 6 singles, pushing the Bears further ahead.
The match was clinched by Mu-Jie Tzeng at No. 5 singles, who battled to a 7-5, 6-4 win over Shmakova, finalizing the score at 4-1.
Coach's Corner
Head Coach Joey Scrivano praised the team's comprehensive performance, highlighting their intensity in doubles and resilience in singles. He noted the significant contributions from the freshmen, emphasizing their role in the team’s success.
On Kubacha, Scrivano was effusive, recognizing her as one of the top players in the nation alongside Na Dong. Their performances were pivotal in setting the tone for the match.
Looking ahead, Baylor is set to host BYU on Thursday, April 2, at noon, continuing their campaign at the Hurd Tennis Center in Waco, Texas.