Lady Cougars Tennis Cruises to 9-0 Win at Antelope Valley

College of the Canyons women's tennis stock image.
February 16, 2023

By Jesse Muñoz/COC Sports Information Director  

LANCASTER — College of the Canyons cruised to a 9-0 conference victory at Antelope Valley College on Thursday, pushing the Lady Cougars' win streak to four matches.

The shutout was the first of the season for Canyons (4-3, 3-2) which has bounced back in recent weeks after falling in its first three matches out of the gate.

COC sophomore Ashley Villarta, playing in the No. 1 spot, earned her first singles win of the season after teaming with Lexi Paunovic for a double victory.

Paunovic was also victorious from the No. 2 position to notch her first singles win.

Jennifer Russell improved to 4-2 on the season in singles play with her victory in the No. 3 slot. Meanwhile, Ellie Wingo, the current student-athlete of the week, moved to 5-2 on the season primarily playing No. 4 singles.

No. 5 Marie Arana Llosa was a straight sets winner to claim her fourth straight victory. Faith Abt rounded out singles play in the No. 6 slot with her second victory over the last three matches.

Russell and Wingo moved their doubles record to 6-1 on the young season, while Abt and Arana Llosa improved to 5-2 as the No. 3 doubles duo.

Canyons will now have a non-conference road match at Occidental College at 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 18.

Full results from Thursday's match vs. Antelope Valley are below: 

Doubles

  1. Ashley Villarta/Lexi Paunovic (COC) defeats Sydney Bush/Naia Smithley (AVC) — 8-2
  2. Jennifer Russell/Ellie Wingo (COC) defeats Nicole Padilla/Julie Tejeda (AVC) — 8-0
  3. Faith Abt/Marie Arana Llosa (COC) defeats Ari Avina/Emily Lopez (AVC) — 8-2

Singles

  1. Ashley Villarta (COC) defeats Sydney Bush (AVC) — 6-3, 3-6, 10-4
  2. Lexi Paunovic (COC) defeats Nicole Padilla (AVC) — 6-0, 6-1
  3. Jennifer Russell (COC) defeats Naia Smithley (AVC) — 7-5, 6-2
  4. Ellie Wingo (COC) defeats Julie Tejeda (AVC) — 6-1, 6-3
  5. Marie Arana Llosa (COC) defeats Mary Williams (AVC) — 6-0, 6-0
  6. Faith Abt (COC) defeats Ari Avina (AVC) — 6-1, 7-5

Stay up to date on all this season's action by following the College of the Canyons Athletic department on social media at @COCathletics on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube.