San Francisco -- After nearly two weeks of rain kept them off the courts, the Academy of Art University women's tennis team defeated the Dixie State Red Storm this morning 5-4 at the San Francisco Tennis Center. This was AAU's inaugural home match and with the victory, the Urban Knights improve to 2-6 overall while Dixie State falls to 0-8 after wet conditions had pushed the meeting from yesterday to this morning.

"Our team was able to dig so deep and showed a lot of character today," head coach Dave Allen said. "They continue to improve as the season moves along because they are coming together as a team and getting stronger. I am extremely proud of how our team stayed focused on the job at hand and came through with a victory in our home opener."

At the #1 singles slot, sophomore Cassy Fabiani was perfect against Ashley Lafeen 6-0, 6-0 while freshman Laone "Lala" Botshoma defeated Alexandra Bergen 6-3, 7-5 in the #2 singles position. Freshman Maria "Belen" Tenorio, who Coach Allen recognized as particularly consistent, came through with a 6-1, 6-4 victory over Lauren Centrella at #3 singles.

"Yet another win for Belen," Allen said. "She's been very steady on her wins and that's really great for us."

But it was freshman Paola Correa Fe who had a clutch come-from-behind win (4-6, 6-3, 6-3) against Brittny Rogers in the #4 slot with the entire match on the line.

"Accolades to Paola because under tremendous pressure after dropping the first set, she used her aggressive play to edge out Dixie State in the #4 singles match," Allen said. "The teams were tied 4-4 going into that match and it was clear to everyone that she stepped up her play. We really appreciate that the Academy of Art University Athletics staff including Athletic Director and tennis enthusiast Jamie Williams was out there in full support of the team."

The Red Storm took the final two singles spots with Lauren Tarver defeating senior Anna Ritchie 6-4, 6-4 and Nicole Pigott earning a 6-2, 6-2 win over freshman Solveig Barnes.

In doubles action, Correa Fe and Fabini teamed up for a 8-5 win against Bergen and Centrella at #1 while Lafeen and Rogers won against Tenorio and Botshoma 8-5 at #2 and Tarver and Annie Salmon defeated Ritchie and freshman Cecilia Hedin 8-4.

"We want to thank the San Francisco Tennis Club for helping us host the event," Allen said. "It was so awesome for them to allow us to play on their courts and we were thrilled to have a nice facility to host the match."

Results:

Singles
#1 Cassy Fabiani def. Ashley Lafeen 6-0, 6-0
#2 Laone "Lala" Botshoma def. Alexandra Bergen 6-3, 7-5
#3 Maria "Belen" Tenorio def. Lauren Centrella 6-1, 6-4
#4 Paola Correa Fe def. Brittny Rogers 4-6, 6-3, 6-3
#5 Lauren Tarver def. Anna Ritchie 6-4, 6-4
#6 Nicole Pigott def. Solveig Barnes 6-2, 6-2

Doubles
#1 Paola Correa Fe/Cassy Fabiani def. Alexandra Bergen/Lauren Centrella 8-5
#2 Ashley Lafeen/Brittny Rogers def. Maria "Belen" Tenorio/Laone "Lala" Botshoma 8-5
#3 Lauren Tarver/Annie Salmon def. Cecilia Hedin/Anna Ritchie 8-4

Final Score: AAU 5, DSC 4

Box Score