FULLERTON, Calif. --- The Cal State Fullerton women's tennis team delivered Nebraska its first loss of the season with a 4-1 victory over the Cornhuskers on Tuesday afternoon at Titan Tennis Courts.
With the victory, the Titans improved to 13-1 while Nebraska is now 14-1 on the season. The Cornhuskers were ranked at No. 49 in the country entering Tuesday, but dropped out of the rankings when the new Oracle/ITA Division I Collegiate Rankings poll was released.
The win was the first for Fullerton in five tries against Nebraska dating back to 2000.
For the 13th time this season, the Titans won the doubles point as Camille De Leon and Alexis Valenzuela defeated Paula Del Cueto Castillo and Mary Hanna of Nebraska, 6-4, at the top of the lineup. De Leon and Valenzuela have now won seven in a row and are 10-1 on the season.
Sarah Nuno and Karla Portalatin's 6-3 victory over Lisa Andersson and Vasanti Shinde clinched the doubles point for Fullerton as the duo won its ninth straight en route to an 11-1 record this season.
In singles play, Valenuela put the Titans ahead 2-0 with a 6-3, 6-1 victory over Shinde at the top of the order. The senior is now 11-1 on the season.
Junior Danielle Pham, who has won three in a row and nine of her last 10, dispatched Hanna, 6-4, 6-1, at No. 6 in the lineup as the Titans took a 3-0 lead.
Fullerton suffered a loss at No. 3 in the lineup, but De Leon's 6-4, 6-4 victory over Claire Reifeis at No. 2 in the order clinched the fourth and match-winning point for the Titans. De Leon is now 9-2 in 2017.
The Titans and Nebraska played until match point due to rain in the area.
Fullerton returns to action at San Jose State on Friday.
Notes: Cal State Fullerton has its best record after 14 matches in program history…the Titans defeated Nebraska for the first time in five tries dating back to 2000…Fullerton has yet to lose the doubles point in 2017.
Tennis Match Results
Nebraska vs Cal State Fullerton
Mar 21, 2017 at Fullerton, Calif.
(Titan Tennis Courts)
Cal State Fullerton 4, Nebraska 1
Singles competition
1. Alexis Valenzuela (CSF) def. Vasanti Shinde (NEB) 6-3, 6-1
2. Camille De Leon (CSF) def. Claire Reifeis (NEB) 6-4, 6-4
3. P Del Cueto Castillo (NEB) def. Karla Portalatin (CSF) 6-4, 6-3
4. Sarah Nuno (CSF) vs. Jeannie Lozowski (NEB) 7-6 (5-0), 2-1, unfinished
5. Masako Makiba (CSF) vs. Lisa Andersson (NEB) 6-3, 5-3, unfinished
6. Danielle Pham (CSF) def. Mary Hanna (NEB) 6-4, 6-1
Doubles competition
1. Camille De Leon/Alexis Valenzuela (CSF) def. P Del Cueto Castillo/Mary Hanna (NEB) 6-4
2. Sarah Nuno/Karla Portalatin (CSF) def. Lisa Andersson/Vasanti Shinde (NEB) 6-3
3. Masako Makiba/Danielle Pham (CSF) vs. Hayley Haakenstad/Claire Reifeis (NEB) 5-6, unfinished
Match Notes:
Nebraska 14-1
Cal State Fullerton 13-1
Order of finish: Doubles (1,2); Singles (1,6,3,2)
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