MATCH #7
#13 ART U (6-0) vs. #16 Azusa Pacific (8-3)
March 7, 2014 at 1:30 PM
Azusa, CA -- Munson & Bavougian Tennis Complex

MATCH #8
#13 ART U (6-0) vs. Point Loma Nazarene University (2-7)
March 8, 2014 at 10:00 AM
San Diego, CA -- PLNU Tennis Courts

MATCH #9
#13 ART U (6-0) vs. #17 UC San Diego (6-8)
March 9, 2014 at 11:00 AM
San Diego, CA -- Northview Tennis Courts

OPENING SERVE
Only days after the ITA rankings were released with the Urban Knights ranked #13 in the country, they handled their business against Bay Bridge rival Holy Names, sweeping away the Hawks 9-0 last Saturday. They head into a tough road trip, playing three matches in three days in Southern California.

AZUSA UP AND DOWN AFTER QUICK START
The Cougars started the year 6-0, including two sweeps over Western New Mexico and Concordia University. Since then, they have won three and lost two, alternating wins and losses since February 17. The losses were up against tough teams, as they fell to #14 Fresno Pacific, #2 BYU-Hawaii, and #6 Lynn. APU will be playing #3 Barry University on Thursday before welcoming in the Knights. ART U lost the one match in-season to the Cougars, but came back to dominate APU at the PacWest Championships in a 5-0 victory.

COACH DAUB SAYS
"I believe that these girls can continue on this journey, it's just going to take some hard work and focus. If they keep challenging themselves in practice and don't sit back and watch then we are hoping to come back from the road trip with some victories. The team morale is great and the girls are always supporting one another which makes a huge difference during the big points. This group of knights has come a long way and the positive outcomes are a indication of their hard work and dedication."

KNIGHTS TO FACE STREAKY SEA LIONS
Point Loma has had an interesting season so far, as they lost four straight close matches to start the year before rebounding to win three in a row. Since their last win, a 5-4 match with Fresno Pacific, they lost two against ranked opponents, falling to #2 BYU-Hawaii and #10 Florida Southern. They'll face Lewis University and Concordia before taking on the Knights on Saturday as part of a doubleheader with Division I Villanova.

GAJDOSIKOVA GOLDEN IN DOUBLES
Junior Nina Gajdosikova continued her strong season with another dominant win in the first singles spot, taking down Holy Names' number one Jessica Ho in singles play. She also teamed up with Daniela Amelunge Antelo for their sixth straight doubles win, a 8-2 victory. Gajdosikova is ranked 10th in singles in the region and has played  a big part in the Knights rise up the ranks to the #13 spot that they're in now. In her short career she is the all-time leader in doubles winning percentage, now sitting at 26-6 all-time. 

SAN DIEGO SLIPS DOWN
After defeating Cal State Los Angeles on February 24, the Tritons were sitting at 6-4, but the first three days of this week were rough as they were among the schools hosting a strong contingent from Florida. UCSD fell to #9 Rollins on Sunday before a 7-2 loss to #10 Florida Southern on Monday. They were swept 9-0 by #3 Barry, and now head into their next match, against the Knights, under .500 at 6-8. ART U has not yet beaten the Tritons in two meetings, the first a close 5-4 loss in 2012 before facing them in April of last year and falling 5-2.

NEXT FOR THE KNIGHTS
The tough road trip will be followed with a slight break for the Knights before a long homestand, playing seven at home at the San Francisco Tennis Club between March 13 and April 6. The first match will be against Division I Weber State, a 6-3 win back on March 9, 2013.