Women’s Tennis Falls Just Short In Upset Bid of San Jose State

USAF ACADEMY, Colo. - Air Force women's tennis (11-6, 3-4 MW) fell to undefeated San Jose State (14-0, 7-0 MW) 4-3 Sunday afternoon at the USAFA indoor tennis courts.

The Falcons kept the match close and were tied 3-3 headed into the final match before the Spartans took the final match to escape with the win.

Air Force gave up the doubles point by going 1-2. Sydney Fitch and Shailla Alda won at No. 3 doubles over Rozalina Youseva and Jovana Babic 6-2. Meredith Jones and Ksenia Vasilyev fell at No. 1 to Savannah Sendar and Lara Marco Mas 6-3. Alex Kuo and Isabella Flodin fell at No. 2 to Alba Pedrero Galindo and Raq Villan Pereira 6-1.

In singles, the Falcons split 3-3 with the Spartans.

Fitch opened singles with a win at No. 2 over Youseva 6-2, 6-2. Kuo then fell at No 3. to Irena Muradyan 5-7, 6-1, 6-3. Alda then won at No. 4 over Marco Mas 6-2, 6-7, 6-1.

In her final home match, senior Meredith Jones fell at No. 1 over Alba Pedrero Galindo 7-6, 2-6, 6-2. Mebeli Becerra then won at No. 5 over Raquel Villan Pereira 6-2, 7-6 (10-8) to tie it up at 3-3. Hailey Stelse then fell at No. 6 over Savannah Sendar 6-3, 6-2.

Head coach Kim Gidley on the match:
"That was a tough 4-3 loss to the number one team in the conference that has not lost a match in conference play yet. The good news is that our team was right there the entire way. I was so proud of how Sydney Fitch and Shailla Alda rebounded in the doubles from yesterday and dominated at No. 3 to give the Falcons a chance to win the doubles point. Unfortunately, we lost at No. 2 and No. 1. In the singles, the team came out on fire and won three of four first sets, with the only loss going to a tie-breaker. The team believed they could have the upset and could win. It was awesome that Sydney came off the court with such a convincing straight set win at No. 2 singles, followed by Shailla Alda in singles too. I really was impressed the how Shailla stepped it up today in both singles and doubles. Shailla had a chance to roll over and play dead after losing the second set in a tie-breaker and then just came out and finished off her opponent in the third set. Then Mebeli Becerra came through again today for another dramatic straight set win. Saving set points in the second set – Mebeli outlasted her opponent again. What an amazing team effort for the team's last home match of this season. I am really proud of this team and how every single one of them fight and support each other."

Air Force returns to action Friday, April 24, at Nevada.

San Jose State vs. Air Force
Doubles
Savannah Sendar/Lara Marco Mas (SJSU) def. Meredith Jones/Ksenia Vasilyev (AF) 6-3
Alba Pedrero Galindo/Raq Villan Pereira (SJSU) def. Alex Kuo/Isabella Flodin (AF) 6-1
Sydney Fitch/Shailla Alda (AF) def. Rozalina Youseva/Jovana Babic (SJSU) 6-2
Order: 3, 2, 1

Singles
Alba Pedrero Galindo (SJSU) def. Meredith Jones (AF) 7-6, 2-6, 6-2
Sydney Fitch (AF) def. Rozalina Youseva (SJSU) 6-2, 6-2
Irena Muradyan (SJSU) def. Alex Kuo (AF) 5-7, 6-1, 6-3
Shailla Alda (AF) def. Lara Marco Mas (SJSU) 6-2, 6-7, 6-1
Mebeli Becerra (AF) def. Raq Villan Pereira (SJSU) 6-2, 7-6 (10-8)
Savannah Sendar (SJSU) def. Hailey Stelse (AF) 6-3, 6-2
Order: 2, 3, 4, 1, 5, 6

Women’s Tennis Falls Just Short In Upset Bid of San Jose State

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Players Mentioned

Shailla Alda

Mebeli Becerra

Sydney Fitch

Isabella Flodin

Meredith Jones

Alex Kuo

Hailey Stelse

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