March 11, 2002
SANTA CLARA, Calif. - Freshman Janalle Kaloi and junior Mariko Kawakami earned West Coast Conference Players of the Month honors Monday afternoon as announced by the conference office for their play during the month of February.
Kaloi posted a 6-1 record in February, with her only loss coming at nationally-ranked Nevada. Playing most recently at No. 2 singles, she defeated regional opponents from Cal State Fullerton, UC Santa Barbara, Northern Arizona and Sacramento State in straight sets. Her win against the Gauchos and the Lumberjacks were both by 6-0, 6-0 scores. Kaloi also added a solid come-from-behind victory over Caroline Tweeton of San Francisco, 2-6, 6-3, 6-1.
Kaloi teammed with Kawakami to go 3-2 in the month of February. The duo went 2-1 at the top spot and 1-1 at the No. 2 doubles spot on the ladder. The tandem topped teams from UCSB, USF and NAU. Both losses came in extra sets, 9-7 scores to UNLV and Sacramento State.
The player of the month selections were both firsts for the two players in their careers at Santa Clara. They will lead the Broncos into action again this week at home, hosting Saint Louis University Wednesday afternoon at 3 p.m. at the SCU Tennis Center.