Canyons Women's Tennis Wins Eighth Straight at Santa Monica

Story and photo by Mari Knesiel/COC Sports Information

SANTA MONICA — College of the Canyons traveled to Santa Monica College and tacked on its eighth straight conference win as the Cougars bested the Corsairs in a 6-3 road victory on Thursday. 

Canyons (9-2, 8-0) won two doubles and four singles matches on the day. 

The No. 2 doubles team of Jennifer Russel and Lauren Hannah were the first to put a point up for the Cougars winning their set 8-2. Shortly after No. 3 pair Hannah Heiber and Lauren Neal won with an 8-1 triumph.  

Ashley Villarta faced off in first position in singles and Lexi Paunovic in second. Though both fell to their SMC (3-5) opponents, the rest of the Cougars won out. 

Russell performed in the No. 3 position winning in three sets. Neal followed in suit, from the No. 4 spot, after also battling through three sets.

No. 5 Heiber and No. 6 Hannah captured their respective points in just two sets, bringing the Cougars to a winning total of 6-3. 

Canyons has four matches left in Western State Conference (WSC) play and will strive to defend its undefeated position at home on Tuesday March 8 vs. Ventura College (4-4, 3-4).

Full Results from Thursday's match at Santa Monica are below:  

Doubles

1. Villarta/Paunovic (COC) loses to West/Nikchevich (SMC)—8-2
2. Russell/Hannah (COC) defeats Gerlach/Pollack (SMC)—8-3
3. Heiber/Neal (COC) defeats Yaghoubi/Marsuura (SMC)—8-1

Singles

1. Ashley Villarta (COC) loses to Nicole West (SMC)—6-1, 6-2
2. Lexi Paunovic (COC) loses to Kai Nikchevich (SMC)—6-1, 6-2
3. Jennifer Russell (COC) defeats Veronica Gerlach (SMC)—2-6, 6-2, 6-0
4. Lauren Neal (COC) defeats Yasna Yaghoubi (SMC)—7-6, 4-6, 10-7
5. Hannah Heiber (COC) defeats Juyan Pollack (SMC)—6-4, 7-5
6. Lauren Hannah (COC) defeats Fumi Matsuura (SMC)—6-0, 6-0

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