Nov. 16, 2009

NORTHRIDGE, CA - Cal State Fullerton junior Karina Akhmedova defeated Concordia's Melanie Abella in straight sets on Sunday to win the Flight C consolation title at the 2009 Matador Invitational in Northridge.

Akhmedova, who lost in the first round of the main draw to Cal State Bakersfield's Julian Mannix in straight sets, rebounded to post three straight victories en route to the title. Akhmedova defeated Concordia's Summer Beaird (6-4, 6-1) and UC Santa Barbara's Alex McIntosh (6-7, 7-6, 10-8) before downing Abdella, 6-2, 6-4, in the championship.

Freshman Tiffany Mai also posted a first round win in Flight B, defeating Cal State Northridge's Ryma Korab, 6-2, 6-0, freshman Monica Rodriguez won her second-round match-up after a bye, defeating Abdella, 6-0, 6-0, and senior Jerusha Cruz posted a second round win over Cal State Stanislaus' Brianna McClintock, 6-1, 6-3.

After enduring a hard-fought three set loss in her Flight D singles bout, junior Lani Agsalud rebounded to defeat Cal State Bakersfield's Korina Barefield, 6-2, 6-1, in consolation action before falling to eventual champion Amira Massi from Northridge in the semifinals.

Agsalud and Cruz then teamed up for a run through the Flight C consolation bracket, defeating Heather Cotter and Alexis Ferreira from Cal State Stanislaus, 8-6, in the quarterfinals and Adriana Espinosa and Joyce Librando from Cal State Los Angeles, 8-5, in the semifinals before falling in the championship match to McIntosh and Erica Cano from UCSB, 8-1.

With the fall schedule now behind them, the Titans await the opening of their 2010 regular season on Jan. 23 as they travel south for a doubleheader against San Diego at 10 a.m. and San Diego State at 3 p.m.

2009 MATADOR INVITATIONAL
Singles
Tiffany Mai (CSF) def. Ryma Korab (CSN), 6-2, 6-0
Lais Ogata (NEV) def. Tiffany Mai (CSF), 6-1, 6-4
Kristen Yep (CON) def. Malorie dela Cruz (CSF), 6-4, 6-2
Jane Huh (ARIZ) def. Malorie dela Cruz (CSF), 6-4, 6-2
Julian Mannix (CSUB) def. Karina Akhmedova (CSF), 6-4, 6-0
Karina Akhmedova (CSF) def. Summer Beaird (CON), 6-4, 6-1
Karina Akhmedova (CSF) def. Alex McIntosh (UCSB), 6-7, 7-6, 10-8
Karina Akhmedova (CSF) def. Melanie Abella (CON), , 6-2, 6-4
Monica Rodriguez (CSF) def. Melanie Abella (CON), 6-0, 6-0
Katrina Eromin (AF) def. Monica Rodriguez (CSF), 6-3, 6-3
Jerusha Cruz (CSF) def. Brianna McClintock (CSUS), 6-1, 6-3
Zarina Pisnoy (CSN) def. Jerusha Cruz (CSF), 6-1, 6-3
Alexis Ferreira (CSUS) def. Lani Agsalud (CSF), 7-5, 1-6, 6-4
Lani Agsalud (CSF) def. Korina Barefield (CSUB), 6-2, 6-1
Amira Massi (CSN) def. Lani Agsalud (CSF), 6-2, 6-2

Doubles
dela Cruz/Mai (CSF) def. Cecil/Eromin (AF), 8-5
Ojeda/Onaga (UCSB) def. dela Cruz/Mai (CSF), 8-6
Jaworowski/Paluch (CSN) def. Akhmedova/Rodriguez (CSF), 8-4
Kiss/Sangria (CSULA) def. Akhmedova/Rodriguez (CSF), 8-5
Smoke/Young (AF) def. Agsalud/Cruz (CSF), 8-2
Agsalud/Cruz (CSF) def. Cotter/Ferreira (CSUS), 8-6
Agsalud/Cruz (CSF) def. Espinosa/Librando (CSULA), 8-5
Cano/McIntosh (UCSB) def. Agsalud/Cruz (CSF), 8-1