SAN FRANCISCO, Calif.—After a home sweep over Pacific Saturday, the Santa Clara women's tennis team tallied its first 2013 West Coast Conference win at the University of San Francisco by a score of 4-3. The Broncos improve to 5-4 overall on the 2013 regular dual season and 1-0 in WCC, and they will test their three-match winning steak against Southern Methodist University at home on March 13.

At USF, the Broncos were unable to capture the doubles point and were forced to battle in the singles matches. The team won four individual victories to take the match from its Bay Area rival, 4-3.

"Going into today, we knew that the Dons were a much improved team from last year, and their efforts showed that," said Bronco head coach Ben Cabell. "I'm really proud of the girls' determination to battle back after we lost doubles, which is usually our strong suit. All in all, it was a real team effort to get this first WCC win."

Senior partners Kelly Lamble and Maggie McGeorge were the only Santa Clara team to pull out a win in doubles competition. They defeated Yurie Hashiguchi and Milica Hadzi-Tanovic of the Dons, 8-6. The other two Bronco duos battled tough but could not hold on to the doubles point.

In singles play, the Broncos tallied wins at the No. 2, 4, 5, and 6 positions. Australian native Stephanie Skaras topped Yurie Hashiguchi in two straight sets, 6-0, 6-1, at the No. 6 position. Delphine Rouvillois was equally as successful at the No. 5 spot as she defeated Marina Nikolic of the Dons, 6-4, 6-4.

Lamble and freshman Chelby Cooke both battled though grueling three-set matches to give the Broncos their first WCC victory of the season. At the No. 2 spot, Lamble posted a 7-6(4) to take the first set. She proceeded to drop the second, 3-6, but was able to overcome Sofia Holmberg in the final set to win 6-2. Cooke fell in her first set against Brooke Irish by a score of 5-7, but flew through the next two sets, 6-1, 6-3. 

"Our two freshm3n were outstanding and both showcased great performances in their matches," said Cabell. "Stephanie helped keep us in it with her win, and Kelly was fantastic against a very good player who she previously lost to before in preseason."

The Broncos take on SMU on Wed., March 13 at 3:30 p.m. in the Degheri Tennis Center.

Santa Clara 4, USF 3

DOUBLES

1)   Andrea Ka/Sofia Holmberg (USF) def. Katie Le/Jessica Agra (SCU) 8-4

2)   Kelly Lamble/Maggie McGeorge (SCU) def. Yurie Hashiguchi/Milica Hadzi-Tanovic (USF) 8-6

3)   Brooke Irish/Marina Nikolic (USF) def. Stephanie Skaras/Delphine Rouvillois (SCU) 8-6

SINGLES

1)   Andrea Ka (USF) def. #30 Katie Le (SCU) 7-6(3), 6-1

2)   Kelly Lamble (SCU) def. Sofia Holmberg (USF) 7-6(4), 3-6, 6-2

3)   Milica Hadzi-Tanovic (USF) def. Alex Zaniewshi (SCU) 6-2, 4-6, 7-6(2)

4)   Chelby Cooke (SCU) def. Brooke Irish (USF) 5-7, 6-1, 6-3

5)   Delphine Rouvillois (SCU) def. Marina Nikolic (USF) 6-4, 6-4

6)   Stephanie Skaras (SCU) def. Yurie Hashiguchi (USF) 6-0, 6-1

GO BRONCOS!