SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- The defending Big Sky Conference champion Sacramento State women's tennis team opened its 2025 spring season in victorious fashion on Friday afternoon, posting a 6-1 triumph over visiting Dominican University at the Sacramento State Tennis Complex.
The Hornets move to 1-0 to start the season, which continues on Sunday (Jan. 26) at home against Pacific at noon. Friday's match was a scrimmage for the Penguins.
Wins at No. 2 and No. 3 doubles staked Sacramento State to a 1-0 lead in the match overall as sophomore Lou Baudouin and freshman Emilija Pranyte posted a 6-1 victory and sophomore Elena Mercioiu and Reese Walker clinched the doubles point with a 7-5 win.
Straight-set wins in singles at No. 3, No. 6, and No. 5 — in that order — officially clinched the match for the Hornets, Baudouin opened with a 6-0, 6-2, win over Maria Gavrilov, Weronika Ejsmont surrendered only two games in a 6-1, 6-1, win over Astrid Craig, and Marcioiu provided the clincher with a 6-2, 6-0, win over Deepalakshmi Vanaraja.
Walker, playing at the No. 1 spot for the first time in her collegiate career, outlasted Audrey Rafols in three sets, 6-7 (2), 6-1, 10-7, for the win and newcomer Palina Saulevich also won a three-set marathon, 6-4, 4-6, 10-8, for Sacramento State's final point.
The lone remaining singles match also went three sets at No. 2 as the Penguins came up with their lone point by virtue of a Gina Dudley victory, 7-6, (4), 2-6, 10-3, over Pranyte.
NCAA WOMEN'S TENNIS
Sacramento State 6, Dominican University 1
Jan. 24, 2025 // Sacramento, Calif. (Sacramento State Tennis Complex)
DOUBLES
1. Weronika Ejsmont / Palina Saulevich (SAC) vs. Audrey Rafols / Gina Dudley (DU), unfinished
2. Lou Baudouin / Emilija Pranyte (SAC) def. Maria Gavrilov / Logan Koitka (DU), 6-1
3. Elena Mercioiu / Reese Walker (SAC) def. Deepalakshmi Vanaraja / Sofia Acuna (DU), 7-5
Order of finish: 2, 3*
SINGLES
1. Reese Walker (SAC) def. Audrey Rafols (SU), 6-7 (2), 6-1, 10-7
2. Gina Dudley (DU) def. Emilija Pranyte (SAC), 7-6 (4), 2-6, 10-3
3. Lou Baudouin (SAC) def. Maria Gavrilov (DU), 6-0, 6-2
4. Palina Saulevich (SAC) def. Sofia Acuna (DU), 6-4, 4-6, 10-8
5. Elena Mercioiu (SAC) def. Deepalakshmi Vanaraja (DU), 6-2, 6-0
6. Weronika Ejsmont (SAC) def. Astrid Craig (DU), 6-1, 6-1
Order of finish: 3, 6, 5*, 1, 4, 2
