Sept. 26, 2007

SANTA CLARA, Calif. - After their first tournament of the fall season, the Santa Clara women's tennis team is coming together as one and looking forward to more competition this weekend at the Cal Invitational. The Broncos will play in Berkeley from Friday, Sept. 28-Sunday, Sept. 30.

The Bronco women did an exceptional job at the Bulldog Classic in Fresno, where they competed against schools such as Fresno State, Sacramento State, Nevada, and San Jose State. The weekend was especially successful for senior Myra Davoudi, who ended the tournament with an overall record of 3-1, coming out on top in two three-set matches.

"I am very, very happy overall with the way the first tournament played out," said head coach Ben Cabell. "In the three or four years that I've been here, these were the best results we've had in that tournament. The team's goal this year was to have a winning record and to do well in three-set matches. We went 5-1 overall and had three three-set match wins."

Junior Stephanie Galainenea was also pleased with the way the team did.

"I thought it went pretty well," said Galainena. "It was solid start with the four freshmen this year. It felt like everyone on the team really gelled together and got along. We've got a new dynamic."

This year's team is made up of five returning players and four new freshmen, whose first taste of collegiate competition was at the Bulldog Classic. Cabell believes the tournament gave them valuable experience for later in the season.

"It's more important that they're improving," said Cabell. "Every tournament they will keep getting better, and getting experience, which is what we want."

This weekend, Santa Clara will be facing some of the toughest teams on the west coast at the Cal Invitational in Berkeley. This will also be a chance for the Broncos to compete in singles and doubles against teams they will be playing in the WCC.

"It's the big show," said Galainena. "All the big schools are going to be there from the west coast like Northwestern, Cal and Oregon. In the past, we've always had solid performances there."

Other participating schools include Arizona, Arizona State, Fresno State, Nevada, San Francisco, UC Davis and Sacramento State.

"We expect improvement and the same competitiveness that we had in Fresno," Cabell said. "In this tournament, it's not one big draw like last weekend. There's an all around different feel. They'll be playing people that they will be up against this year in the regular season."

Stay tuned in this weekend for updated results online at http://santaclarabroncos.cstv.com.