Glendale, Ariz. -- The Academy of Art women's tennis team lost a close battle to fellow Pac West Conference member Grand Canyon University 6-3 at the Paseo Racquet Center in Glendale, Arizona. With the loss, the Urban Knights fall to 0-5 overall and the GCU Lopes improve to 4-2 overall.
The Knight's Laone "Lala" Botshoma shined at No. 1 singles, defeating Stephanie Haldeman, 6-3, 6-3 in straight sets. Maria "Belen" Tenorio defeated Veronica Brunk 7-6(9), 6-2. Later, Botshoma and Tenorio teamed up in No. 2 doubles to pull of a defeat against GCU's Mandy Prudhomme and Karen Peltin.
AAU's Paola Correa Fe played her heart out and was barely defeated by GCU's Stefanie Griffin, 6-4, 1-6, 10-8 at No. 2 singles in a gutsy match that lasted nearly four hours. It was the first time in the past two years a tennis match had to be completed under the lights at Paseo.
Head Coach Dave Allen was pleased with his team's efforts for the day, especially considering the match was tied going into the final pairings of the day. “Today's match proved that the Urban Knights have received a shot in the arm of fighting spirit and we are truly competing now,” Allen said.
The Urban Knights are back in action today at 3:30 p.m. against the Dixie State Red Storm at the Paseo Racquet Center.
Results:
Singles
#2 Stefanie Griffin, GCU def Paola Correa Fe, AAU 6-4,1-6,10-8 (match tie-break)
Doubles
#1 Haldeman/Brunk, GCU def Fe/Ritchie, AAU 9-7
#2 Botshoma/Tenorio, AAU def Prudhomme/Peltin, GCU 8-6
Final Score: GCU 6, AAU 3
