Box Score

San Francisco, CA --- Persevering through rain and moving from court to court inside the San Francisco Tennis Club, the Urban Knights came back to put away #50 Dixie State College on Friday afternoon. The teams went back-and-forth for nine hours, but ultimately the 5-4 victory came for AAU in its first match at home this season. Academy of Art University improves to 3-7 overall while the Red Storm fall to 6-7.

“I love to compete and I believe that this team is loving it as well,” Head Coach Dave Allen said. “To maintain your focus over a match of that length shows incredible composure. We have a lot of respect for the Red Storm and each team displayed an extremely high level of play. It's a great experience to have a match like this because it literally comes down to a few points to decide the winner. We've enjoyed the competition.”

After defeating Dixie State three times last year and then losing to the Red Storm in St. George, UT back on Feb. 26, the Knights looked to avenge that loss in this match. In San Francisco this time around, the teams were tied 4-4 and Academy of Art fought back to snatch the victory with an impressive singles victory by sophomore Maria "Belen" Tenorio in the final match of the day.

It was a strong start for AAU after two wins out of three doubles matches. At the number one position, freshman Diane Phan and junior Laone "Lala" Botshoma put away Alicia Holm and Courtney Kezerian 8-1. Senior Anna Ritchie and sophomore Paola Correa Fe teamed up for a 9-7 victory over Lydia Hays and Ashley Lafeen at number two. Finally in the third slot, the Red Storm's Lauren Tarver and Adrienne Davis defeated Tenorio and freshman Cecilia Hedin 8-4 to leave Academy of Art in front 2-1.

“I was happy with the way our team played, particularly in doubles,” Coach Allen said. “We focused a lot on doubles in practice this past week and that ended up being a key ingredient in this match. Also, it was great that the San Francisco Tennis Club could accommodate us indoors. We really appreciate their flexibility with us today.”

Starting off the singles action was Phan who quickly blanked Hays 6-0 in the first set and finished with a 6-0, 6-4 victory for AAU's number one position. In the second slot, Botshoma finished off an incredible three-set match with a dramatic 12-10 tiebreaker win. She defeated Holm 6-2, 3-6, 7-6 (12-10). Correa Fe was bested by Lafeen 6-1, 6-1 at number three singles while Ritchie fell to Kezerian 6-1, 6-1 in the fifth position. Tarver then topped Hedin 6-0, 6-1 in the sixth slot.

“Diane won her match handily in the number one position and Laone maintained her composure facing two match points against her,” Coach Allen said. “Laone was able to come back and win the match so that was great. After a short team embrace, our attention turned towards Belen Tenorio playing in the number four position. It was a great atmosphere because both teams were there cheering on their teammates.”

With the Knights and Red Storm deadlocked 4-4, the entire match now hung in the balance for Tenorio who was set for the final singles pairing of the afternoon: a matchup with Davis at the fourth position. Tenorio's focus never wavered as she finished off Academy of Art's team victory with a 6-0, 6-0 singles win.

“Just prior to Belen taking the court, I made a coaching judgment explaining to Belen that we needed her best today and I was confident by the look in her eye that she was going to be able to execute her game,” Coach Allen said. “And sure enough, she captured a straight sets victory without dropping a game. Right when we needed it, she played phenomenal tennis against a very worthy opponent.”

The Knights return to the court this Sunday, Mar. 14 when the AAU travels to San Rafael, CA for a doubleheader against Dominican University. The teams were originally scheduled to face each other on Mar. 3, but rain forced them to play two on Sunday at 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM.

Tennis Match Results
Dixie State College vs Academy of Art University
Mar 12, 2010 at San Francisco, CA
(San Francisco Tennis Club)

Academy of Art University 5, #50 Dixie State College 4

Singles competition
1. Diane Phan (AAU-WT) def. Lydia Hays (DSC-WT) 6-0, 6-4
2. Laone Botshoma (AAU-WT) def. Alicia Holm (DSC-WT) 6-2, 3-6, 7-6 (12-10)
3. Ashley Lafeen (DSC-WT) def. Paola Correa Fe (AAU-WT) 6-1, 6-1
4. Maria Tenorio (AAU-WT) def. Adrienne Davis (DSC-WT) 6-0, 6-0
5. Courtney Kezerian (DSC-WT) def. Anna Ritchie (AAU-WT) 6-1, 6-1
6. Lauren Tarver (DSC-WT) def. Cecilia Hedin (AAU-WT) 6-1, 6-0

Doubles competition
1. Diane Phan/Laone Botshoma (AAU-WT) def. Alicia Holm/Courtney Kezerian (DSC-WT) 8-1
2. Paola Correa Fe/Anna Ritchie (AAU-WT) def. Lydia Hays/Ashley Lafeen (DSC-WT) 9-7
3. Lauren Tarver/Adrienne Davis (DSC-WT) def. Maria Tenorio/Cecilia Hedin (AAU-WT) 8-4

Match Notes:
Dixie State College 6-7; National ranking #50
Academy of Art University 3-7
T-9:00 A-50