By Beth Renkoski

03/23/09

Lions Take Hope In Victory

Fullerton, Calif – Cal State Fullerton Tennis Courts - The eleventh-ranked Vanguard Lions won their fifth straight match with an 8-1victory over Hope International in Fullerton this afternoon. Today’s match marked the beginning of the second round of GSAC play for the season.

The Lions were on top of their game today, but also received a little help from the Royals, who defaulted in the No. 5 and 6 singles matches and the No. 3 doubles match. Beginning the match with singles play, the Lions secured the victory with three wins in the four remaining singles matches. Kateryna Malakhova (6-1, 6-0) and Anna Valingsten (6-0, 6-0) registered dominating wins at the No. 3 and No. 4 spots to put the Lions within a point of victory. Betyel Tesfa then out-lasted Lotta Jurlander 6-1, 3-6, 10-3, at No. 2 singles to clinch the match with VU’s fifth point. HIU collected its lone point at the No. 1 singles where Bettina Radke defeated Hana Jurcovicova 6-3, 7-5.

Vanguard completed the match with 8-6 wins in both the No. 1 and No. 2 doubles contests to finalize the 8-1 decision. The Lions are now 8-5 overall and 6-4 in GSAC.

The Lion women continue conference play on Thursday when they host tenth-ranked Point Loma Nazarene Sea Lions in a 2:00 p.m. GSAC match

Today’s GSAC Match Scores:

No. 11 Vanguard 8 vs. HIU 1
Doubles
1. Malakhova/ Jurcovicova vs. Radke/Jurlander VU 8-6
2. Tesfa/ Furuvald vs. Steyn/ Munoz VU 8-6
3. Valingsten/Xavier vs. VU Default
Singles
1. Hana Jurcovicova vs. Bettina Radke HIU 6-3, 7-5
2. Betyel Tesfa vs. Lotta Jurlander VU 6-1, 3-6, 10-3
3. Kateryna Malakhova vs. Minette Steyn VU 6-1, 6-0
4. Anna Valingsten vs. Brittney Munoz VU 6-0, 6-0
5. Maria F. Xavier vs. VU Default
6. Brittnie Furuvald vs. VU Default

Final score: VU 8 HIU 1
VU Season record 8-5 (6-4)

1. Hana Jurcovicova vs. Bettina Radke HIU 6-3, 7-5