March 26, 2008

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. -

The UC Santa Barbara women's tennis team concluded its long homestand this afternoon with a 5-2 loss, against visiting No. 46 Boise State. The defeat drops the Gauchos to 7-8 overall on the season.

The Broncos stormed the Rob Gym Tennis Courts, sweeping all three doubles matches to capture the early 1-0 lead. Seniors Marta Simic and Charlotte Scatliffe were defeated by the Boise State pair of Polina Kokoulina and Pichittra Thongdach 8-3, at No. 1 doubles. The Broncos secured the doubles point when Laura Baum and Klaudia Wlodarczyk bounced the Gaucho duo of Tova Hausman and Brittany Kausen 8-2, at the No. 3 doubles slot.

"Overall it was the most sluggish we have been in doubles all season," said head coach Pete Kirkwood. "We just couldn't get anything going losing 8-3, 8-3, and 8-2 at No. 1, 2, and 3 respectively."

UC Santa Barbara started the singles portion of the match well as Tova Hausman took down Jana Mackova in straight sets 6-2, 6-3, as the Gauchos evened the score. The elation was short lived for the Gauchos as Boise State posted four straight victories, to secure the win. The clincher for the Broncos came at No. 3 singles, when Klaudia Wlodarczyk disposed Charlotte Scatliffe 6-4, 6-4.

The match ended on a high note for the Gauchos as Jill Damion outlasted her opponent Polina Kokoulina 4-6, 6-4, 7-6 (5), at the No. 2 singles spot.

The Gauchos hit the road and head to the Bay Area for their next two matches. This Friday, Mar. 28 UCSB will battle against the University of San Francisco at 2:00 p.m. (PT). The following day, the Gauchos will travel to Moraga to take on Saint Mary's with the first serve set for 11:00 a.m. (PT).

Complete results listed below

Singles
No. 1 Pichittra Thongdach (BSU) def. Marta Simic (UCSB) 6-2, 6-4
No. 2 Jill Damion (UCSB) def. Polina Kokoulina (BSU) 4-6, 6-4, 7-6 (5)
No. 3 Klaudia Wlodarczyk (BSU) def. Charlotte Scatliffe (UCSB) 6-4, 6-4
No. 4 Stacey Housley (BSU def. Asagi Onaga (UCSB) 7-6, 6-0
No. 5 Tova Hausman (UCSB) def. Jana Mackova (BSU) 6-2, 6-3
No. 6 Laura Baum (BSU) def. Brittany Kausen (UCSB) 6-1, 7-6, (4)

Order of finish: 5, 4, 1, 3, 6, 2

Doubles
No. 1 Kokoulina/Thongdach (BSU) def. Simic/Scatliffe 8-3
No. 2 Housley/Mackova (BSU) def. Damion/Onaga 8-3
No. 3 Baum/Wlodarczyk (BSU) def. Hausman/Kausen 8-2

Order of finish: 1, 2, 3