San Francisco, CA - After a loss to Fresno Pacific snapped their win streak earlier this week, the Academy of Art University rebounded with their first ever program win over Cal State Stanislaus. The Urban Knights used some convincing scores to take it to the Warriors with an 8-1 victory on Saturday on their home turf at the Bay Club San Francisco.
"We have played enough tennis this year to understand our stated process: we are working to get to that place where everyone on the team plays their best tennis at the same time," said head coach Jerry Peach. "In an individual game such as tennis, this is the hardest thing for team members to understand. Winning is not the goal; winning is the result of improvement. Winning is the result of a combined effort of players who go on court at the same time and perform well as a group."
The day started out with ART U taking two out of three in doubles play. The Knights and Warriors battled it out in the first slot, but Cal State Stanislaus won their only point of the day as Dannia Mezza & McKenzie Harden defeated Michelle Dandik Zaale & Lucia Zavarcikova by a score of 8-6. In the second and third spots, however, it was all Knights, as Daniela Amelunge Antelo & Nina Gajdosikova dispatched their opponents 8-1 and Jenny Johansson & Amal Ben El Hadj shut out their counterparts 8-0 to take the all-important two points.
"The key to good doubles is discipline to keep the ball in play until the opportunity to put the ball away shows itself, and the putaway is completed," said Peach. "At the level we are trying to compete, we will get but one chance to grab the point; after that, the ball keeps coming back. We end points playing them, not winning them."
After that, the Urban Knights settled into a groove in singles play. After losing twice to Cal State Stanislaus last year, they left no question about who the better team was this year, winning every singles match in straight sets. Dandik Zaale took out Mezza 6-1, 6-2. Amelunge Antelo took out her opponent 6-2, 6-4, and Ben El Hadj took care of Harden in third singles 6-2, 6-0. In fourth singles, Jenny Johansson had her third shutout of the year, winning 6-0, 6-0 over Jessica Stokes. Tamara Kenia took care of Aubree Brenda 6-0, 6-1, and Kinga Kurczbuch defeated Kaitlyn Ireland 6-2, 6-1 to give the Knights a convincing victory.
"The people who win most of the time share this ability: how to start quickly, win those points they should win, and do not give charity on the court. In other words, take advantage of your opportunities every time and do not give your opponents anything," said Peach. "All of our singles players did the right things today. I was pleased with the energy our players brought to the court."
Peach was especially impressed with his first singles player, Michelle Dandik Zaale, who improved to 6-1 on the season in singles play, playing no lower than the third slot. She's also 4-3 in doubles play, including a 4-1 mark in second doubles while being paired with Zavarcikova.
"Michelle responded to her opportunity by bringing her 'A' game with her today," said Peach. "Nothing Michelle tried was outside her ability to hit. Her defense was well done, her answers to her oppoents great shots were good, and when she got her chances to be offensive, she took control and went after the kill."
The Knights finish the month with a 7-1 record, and will start March against Dominican next Saturday in San Rafael.
